Chief of Armenia’s Veterinary Inspectorate arrested on suspicion of bribery
The National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia says it has arrested the chief of the Veterinary Inspectorate of the State Service for Food Safety under Armenia’s Ministry of Agriculture on suspicion of taking bribes.
Hovhannes Mkrtchyan is said to have accepted a large amount of bribe from a businessman after granting his company certificates for exporting thousands of sheep to Qatar, the NSS said in a statement on Friday.
Some part of the bribe was handed over to the Veterinary Inspectorate chief in April, while the remaining part in May this year.
The NSS agents carried out surveillance over the bribe transactions, with both the official and businessman caught red-handed during the second transaction.
A criminal case has been launched. A preliminary probe is underway.
Hovhannes Mkrtchyan has headed the Veterinary Inspectorate since 2011.