Iranian Aviation Kerosene Import Scheme Causes Approximately $2.37 Million in Damage to the State in Case Linked to Gagik Tsarukyan

YEREVAN — Armenia’s State Revenue Committee has released new details concerning an investigation into alleged tax violations in the fuel sector that reportedly caused approximately AMD 870 million (US 2.37 Million) in damages to the state.

The committee’s Investigation and Operational Intelligence Department said it had planned and carried out a series of coordinated investigative measures aimed at identifying businesses allegedly working with criminal networks in the fuel industry.

According to the State Revenue Committee, authorities received information that aviation kerosene was being imported into Armenia from Iran, although no records concerning its subsequent sale appeared in the committee’s information database.

The investigation allegedly found that an individual identified by the initials R.K. had established nine companies through figureheads. Significant quantities of aviation fuel were imported from Iran under the names of those companies and later sold to various individuals and entities operating in Armenia without the issuance of the required accounting documents.

Three of the nine companies allegedly failed to submit the required tax reports concerning their sales, while the other six reportedly included falsified information in their filings. The authorities said the companies used these methods to avoid paying taxes on an especially large scale.

“An analysis and examination of the factual evidence and circumstances established that the activities of the companies founded and managed by R.K. caused approximately AMD 870 million in damages to the state,” the committee said.

Reports concerning apparent criminal offenses were submitted to Armenia’s Investigative Committee, which has initiated criminal proceedings.

The preliminary investigation remains underway. Authorities are carrying out investigative measures to establish all the circumstances of the case and identify the full range of individuals allegedly involved in the criminal group.

The State Revenue Committee said its Investigation and Operational Intelligence Department would continue taking measures both to uncover and prevent criminal activity. It also urged businesses to accurately declare their actual sales turnover.

According to Haykakan Zhamanak, the investigation is connected to criminal proceedings involving detained Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan.