Top prosecutor challenges order to investigate Finance Minister

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia has appealed to the Anti-Corruption Chamber of the Court of Cassation, contesting a decision by the Anti-Corruption Court of Appeals that obligated the initiation of criminal proceedings against Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan. The information was confirmed by the Prosecutor's Office, according to Factor.am .

The case stems from a Factor.am article titled “Where did Vahe Hovhannisyan’s $1 million debt go? The minister’s declaration is incomplete.” Based on the article, the Prosecutor's Office instructed the Anti-Corruption Committee to conduct a review under the procedures of the Law on Operative-Investigative Activities.

Later, due to contradictions found in Hovhannisyan’s declarations and details in the publication, several attorneys formally requested the Prosecutor General to launch a criminal investigation into his alleged misconduct.

On April 3, attorney Ara Zohrabyan posted on Facebook that the Anti-Corruption Committee refused to initiate a case, and the Anti-Corruption Court dismissed related complaints. However, the Anti-Corruption Court of Appeals overturned the dismissal and ordered public authorities to initiate proceedings.

The court determined that the report concerning the company “G Coder” constituted a valid legal basis. It noted that on August 18, 2021—the date Hovhannisyan assumed his post as Deputy Finance Minister—he received a $1,000,000 interest-free loan and a $50,000 donation, using the funds to acquire 100% of the shares in “Caritas Italiana” CJSC. According to official records, Alla Avoyan was then director of Caritas, suggesting full ownership transfer. His 2021 asset declaration listed ownership of the shares.

On January 10, 2022, Caritas Italiana was reorganized into “G Coder” LLC. Hovhannisyan’s declaration that year still showed the shares as worth $1.05 million, but they disappeared from his 2023 declaration. By then, 100% ownership had transferred to Rubik Armenak Karapetyan, allegedly Hovhannisyan’s maternal uncle.

These developments indicate that the Prosecutor General disputed the legal interpretation of the facts and opposed the launch of a criminal case.

Meanwhile, the Corruption Prevention Commission has also begun reviewing declarations filed by Hovhannisyan and his family, referencing the same report. The Commission identified multiple inconsistencies and requested clarifications from Hovhannisyan and his wife, who have since submitted supporting documents.

However, due to the ongoing legal process and the appellate court’s ruling requiring criminal proceedings, the Commission has postponed summarizing and publishing the full results of its analysis.