“Zhoghovurd” Daily Newspaper: Trial in High-Profile Corruption Case at the Ministry of Economy Suspended
The trial in the criminal case concerning alleged corrupt abuses at the Ministry of Economy has been suspended at the Anti-Corruption Court until January. As the “Zhoghovurd” daily newspaper writes, the reason for suspending the court proceedings is that presiding judge Mary Mosinyan has gone on maternity leave.
According to the newspaper's information, as a result of the suspension of the trial, proceedings in the high-profile case have effectively come to a halt for several months.
As part of the case, on January 31, 2023, seven people were taken in, including dismissed Deputy Minister of Economy Ani Ispiryan and the wife of the brother of former National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan. The latter was involved in the case as an accused person, but shortly afterwards, criminal prosecution against her was discontinued on the grounds of active remorse.
Against the backdrop of developments in the case, Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan resigned on February 14, 2023. The following day, he was charged with abuse of official powers, and on February 16, the Anti-Corruption Court imposed two months of house arrest on him. Kerobyan was subsequently released.
Among the accused in the case is also Ashot Hovhannisyan, founder of the company “Synergy” and father-in-law of television presenter Lusine Tovmasyan.
Thus, the trial in the case concerning alleged corrupt abuses at the Ministry of Economy has temporarily come to a halt, and its continuation has been postponed until the judge's return.