Arinj Mall ex-director arrested

ArmInfo. The Investigative Committee of Armenia reports an investigation into a criminal case related to the company's large-scale tax evasion - 492.076 million  drams.  Based on evidence obtained during the preliminary  investigation, a criminal case has been opened against the company's  director, A.N., and former director, S.A., under Article 290, Part 3,  Clause 2 of the Criminal Code (large-scale tax evasion). As a  preventive measure, A.N. has been placed under house arrest, bail of  50 million drams, and a restraining order. S.A. has been arrested.

Available information indicates that the suspects are Alik Nazaryan,  director of one of Gagik Tsarukyan's companies, Arinj Mall, and  former director Samvel Hakobyan.

On July 6, law enforcement officers conducted searches of Tsarukyan's  mansion and businesses belonging to his Multi Group concern.  Following the completion of the investigation, all properties were  sealed, and the businessman himself was arrested for two months.  Tsarukyan is accused of organizing fraud and money laundering on an  especially large scale.

In particular, according to investigators, between 2022 and 2024, a  "criminal group" operating under his leadership, under the pretext of  developing trade and economic ties between Armenia and Iran, created  joint ventures, including the Armenian-Iranian Chamber of Commerce,  with the participation of Iranian citizens. According to  investigators, the fraudulent scheme caused damage to the state in  excess of $21 million. In another incident, Tsarukyan is accused of  organizing, along with another citizen, the "fraudulent theft of  $934,000" from an Iranian citizen as part of a fuel supply deal.  Additionally, another criminal case has been opened for illegal  hunting of wild animals and birds. Investigators believe the illegal  hunting caused environmental damage in excess of $81,000. Following  his arrest, a case was also opened against him for tax evasion.