Family Ties and “Lucrative Positions,” Tenders and Contracts
On November 10, 2022, the media reported on the appointment of Armen Muradyan, the brother of Defense Minister Suren Papikyan’s wife, as the logistics adviser to the director of “HayPost.”
The appointment raised questions because of the new adviser’s biography. Prior to that, Muradyan had worked as a courier at “Coca-Cola,” and afterward had been registered as unemployed for several months.
Despite lacking relevant professional education and experience in the field of logistics, he received a highly paid position. According to media reports, certain information in the documents was altered for the appointment so that the candidate would formally meet the requirements.
Following the publications, journalists requested clarification from “HayPost,” but the company refused to comment on the situation, citing the confidentiality of personal data.
Relatives, Tenders and Contracts
In July 2023, the state contract for the reconstruction and improvement of the community centers of the villages of Bovadzor, Koghes, Lejan, Yaghdan, and Urrut in Lori Berd community was awarded to a company connected to Suren Papikyan’s relatives.
The winner of the tender was “Lorshin” LLC, which had been registered just half a year before the tender, in January 2023. Moreover, the company was the only participant to submit a price offer.
The owner of “Lorshin” is Vahagn Papikyan, the first deputy head of Lori Berd community and the brother of Vahram Papikyan, the chairman of the party’s regional council. Both are relatives of Suren Papikyan.
The 21.3 million-dram contract was signed on August 1, 2023. Later, the terms of the contract were changed twice in favor of the contractor: first, the payment schedule was adjusted, and then the deadline for completing the work was extended by one month.
Community head Arayik Nersisyan denied the allegations concerning a conflict of interest, stating that the family ties had not affected the outcome of the tender because, allegedly, Vahagn Papikyan does not communicate with his brother, the official.