YEREVAN – A former chief engineer of the Karen Demirchyan Yerevan Metro is facing criminal charges for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to embezzle more than 20 million drams from the public transportation system.
According to investigative authorities, the suspect, who is currently wanted by law enforcement, is accused of forming a group of eight individuals to carry out a fraudulent contract. In April 2021, a service agreement was signed between Yerevan Metro and these individuals for the purported renovation and modernization of metro wagons.
However, investigators found that the group, which included metro staff assembled by the former chief engineer, had no actual connection to wagon renovation work. Despite this, the former engineer reportedly certified that the work was being performed outside regular business hours by the group members.
Authorities allege that none of the individuals ever appeared to perform any work, yet they received full payment totaling 20,710,000 drams under the contract terms.
Criminal proceedings have been initiated under Article 255 of the Criminal Code, covering embezzlement committed by an organized group. A detention order has been issued as a preventive measure against the former chief engineer, who remains at large.
During the investigation, authorities have recovered 5,047,000 drams to the state budget. The case files concerning six individuals involved in the scheme have been forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for further action.
Under Armenian law, individuals accused of crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty through proper judicial procedures.
