On February 13, 2025 the Prosecutor sent to the court the criminal case with indictment bill regarding V. S. and A. P. accused for money laundering and joining a criminal organization established by M. M., the former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to the Holy See.

It was established during the criminal proceedings investigated by the Investigative Committee under the supervision of the Department for Combating Economic Crimes of the Prosecutor General's Office that M. M. together with L. A., A. P., A. H. and V. S. have concluded formal loan agreements in 2013 and 2014 in order to acquire shares in the "Shin Tavr" LLC (since May 23, 2018 "Yerevan Mall" LLC), operating in the Republic of Armenia, organizations registered abroad. Based on the agreements, in the same years, a total of 3 million 700 thousand euros of criminal origin was transferred from the bank account of one of the above-mentioned organizations to the bank account of the another organization.

3 million 620 thousand euros out of the above-mentioned amount was transferred to the account of the company “MLRE LTD” registered abroad, the authorized person on behalf of this organization was A. P. . Besides, on May 3, 2013, 1 million USD from 1 million 250 thousand AMD cashed from the account of another non-resident organization actually owned by M. M was deposited to the account of the company “MLRE LTD”. Then, on June 5 and 6, 2013, another non-resident organization transferred funds to “MLRE LTD”, in total 3 million 50 thousand euros was transferred to the company's account, and on December 11, 2013, 1 million 764 thousand 965 USD was transferred from another non-resident organization. The funds transferred to the account of "MLRE LTD" were mixed with the funds of criminal origin in the company's account, after which "MLRE LTD", represented by A. P., transferred 3 billion 124 million 800 thousand AMD to the account of "Shin Tavr" LLC for the purpose of "investing authorized capital".

In the result, “MLRE LTD” company became 30 percent shareholder of “Shin Tavr” LLC. At the same time, during the meeting of shareholders of “Shin Tavr” LLC held on September 27, 2013, V. S., a close associate of M. M. and L. A., an employee of a number of companies owned by the latter and a participant in a criminal organization, was appointed the company’s director.

On January 15, 2019, “MLRE LTD” represented by the authorized person A. P. and V. S. signed a formal share purchase agreement in order to give the transactions a legal appearance and disguise the real ownership of the 30 percent share of “Yerevan Mall” LLC, as if it was sold with AMD 3 billion 200 million, legalizing particularly large amounts of money obtained through criminal means.

The preliminary investigation also substantiated that M. M., together with L.A., A.P. and others, as part of a criminal organization, with the prior agreement with G.H. and with the assistance of other persons, carried out illegal activities by establishing a legal entity and used it for criminal activities. In addition, M. M., within the framework of an agreement with the heads of a number of resident companies of the Republic of Armenia, expressed his willingness to use his role as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to the Holy See, the Ambassador of Armenia to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and as a member of the family of the President of the Republic of Armenia and the influence resulting from them in exchange for receiving large amounts of illegal remuneration for the above-mentioned organization belonging to him. As a result, the Armenian account of the non-resident organization was credited with AMD 6 billion 103 million 104 thousand, 12 million 795 thousand US dollars, 952 million 281 thousand Russian rubles and 1700 euros.

In the result of the above, particularly large amount of AMD 1 billion 504 million 382 thousand in the form of unpaid taxes was caused to the Republic of Armenia by RA resident companies.

During 2013-2018, particularly large amounts of AMD 6 billion 103 million 104 thousand, 12 million 795 thousand USD, 952 million 281 thousand Russian rubles and 1700 euros, transferred to the account of the organization established to carry out illegal activities by various resident and non-resident companies, as well as cash deposit transactions carried out by individuals affiliated with M. M., including A.P.

Then, one of the companies, represented by the founder and director B. S. and chief accountant A. M., mixing the funds with other amounts received on the account of that company that were not justified by its legal activities and were of criminal origin, invested AMD 11 billion 154 million 994 thousand in “Velofirma” LLC (“Double Tree by Hilton” hotel), ultimately legalizing particularly large amounts of criminal origin.

On February 13, 2025, the prosecutor approved the indictment bill against V. S. and A. P. and transferred the proceedings to the Criminal Court of General Jurisdiction of Yerevan City.

Notice:  A person charged with any crime shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty in the manner prescribed by the RA Criminal Procedure Code—by the judgment came into legal force.