Watchdog urges stricter monitoring of incoming cash

PanARMENIAN.Net - Daniel Ioannisyan, head of the Union of Informed Citizens NGO, has called for stricter control over cash entering the country in a Facebook post.

“Operational and investigative bodies of the tax and customs services have tightened control over incoming cash. Those importing large sums into the republic are being detained—for example, recently, a person importing 47.5 million rubles was detained. But this is not enough.

This is very important because money for vote-buying and illegal political financing cannot come through transfers. It can only and exclusively come in cash… We are talking about at least several hundred million dollars,” he wrote.

He added that they have information indicating that more than $100 million has already been brought into the country.

“We have information that individuals residing in a very specific area of Yerevan (a broad circle linked to a former high-ranking official) are systematically flying abroad for one or two days and returning with cash in their hand luggage.

Law enforcement bodies must gather all these circles and prevent them from participating in illegal political financing schemes,” the post said.

Parliamentary elections in Armenia are scheduled for June 7, 2026.