Four proceedings regarding the gold bars’ import from the Russian Federation to the Republic of Armenia was examined by the Department for Combating against the Economic Crimes of the Prosecutor General’s Office. 

In particular, it was found out that during October-November 2022 the baggage of the citizens arriving from the Russian Federation to the Republic of Armenia was checked in “Zvartnots” airport.

As a result, factory-produced gold bars having the status of a product of the Eurasian Economic Union were found, the amount whereof exceeded the non-commercial amount—10 kg defined by the Government. Reports on the cases of smuggling were drawn up.

On October 27, 2022, a public criminal prosecution was initiated against one of the 7 persons under part 1 of article 292 of the Criminal Code.

On May 29, 2023 the public criminal prosecution initiated against the accused was terminated based on point 1 of part 1 of article 12 of the Criminal Procedure Code, id est, criminal prosecution shall not be initiated and in case of being initiated it shall be terminated if the person did not commit the incriminated action.

The measures of prosecutorial influence were applied by the prosecutors of the Department for Combating against the Economic Crimes of the Prosecutor General’s Office, as a result whereof, charges brought against the 7 persons  as well as the legal assessment of the action committed by the persons importing gold bars were changed.

As a result the damage in the amount of AMD 151 million 713 thousand 273 caused to the state was recovered and decision on not initiating criminal proceedings against the abovementioned persons based on part 5 of article 290 of the Criminal Code was rendered.