Case against Armenia ex-President Serzh Sargsyan will be sent to courtJanuary 10, 2020 - 12:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The criminal case launched against former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will be sent to court as evidence is insufficient to make out a charge, Marina Ohanjanyan, spokeswoman for the Special Investigation Service, told PanARMENIAN.Net Sargsyan is charged with facilitating the embezzlement of large sums of public money by a group of officials when he was the President of the country. Ohanjanyan said case materials have been provided to the defendants and their lawyers. "Five people, including Serzh Sargsyan, have been charged in the case,” the spokeswoman said. Sargsyan served as the President of Armenia from April 9, 2008 to April 9, 2018. He was then elected as the country's Prime Minister but was forced to resign as a result of massive protests. According to the Special Investigation Service, his government on January 24, 2013 approved a public assistance program to sell more than 17 million liters of diesel fuel to land users. A number of companies, including Maxhur and Flash, expressed readiness to supply fuel. Flesh was ultimately selected as a supplier, though the company offered a higher price for diesel than Maxhur. As a result, AMD 489 million (more than $1 million) was embezzled from the state budget. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |