Armenian Ambassador to Israel charged with money laundering
The Armenian Ambassador to Israel Armen Smbatyan is charged with money laundering and accessory to misconduct in a case involving a former Cabinet member.
Announcing the criminal charges, the Committee of
Investigations said Monday that its investigation revealed that Smbatyan
allegedly fraudulently helped the former Armenian minister of culture H.P. to
launder 550,000 dollars in proceeds from the sale of a building of
historic-cultural significance located at 3 Abovyan Street in Yerevan.
Smbatian was also the head of the Armenian Association of
Cultural Cooperation with Foreign Countries, and the then-minister was his
deputy during that time. The building in question was allegedly fraudulently
acquired by the association before being allegedly sold to an offshore company
registered at the British Virgin Islands, in turn belonging to a family member
of the then-minister.
A bail bond of 20,000,000 drams is set for Smbatyan.
The Committee of Investigations had earlier reported that
the former minister of culture and youth is also charged and wanted.
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