YEREVAN. – Damages totaling 23.5 billion drams (approx. US$48,714,750) have been caused to the state, and as a result of misuse during the implementation of the North-South Road Corridor construction project in Armenia.

As per the respective statement which the Prosecutor General’s Office has issued, the attorney general’s office had received a notification from the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies, and with respect to the said project.

Accordingly, it was found out that the officials who were engaged in the development and implementation of the North-South Road Corridor project, from 2009 to 2018, had included ineffective and unfounded activities in them, and received incomplete documents.

In addition, these officials had agreed to extend the deadlines for construction and consulting services, but without grounds and levying the respective damages.

Furthermore, more than the set amount was paid to consulting firms.

Also, no measures were taken to maintain the quality of construction materials, and to oversee the construction.

These officials used their official power against the interests of the service, did not perform their official duties, and negligently caused grave consequences.

As a result, the Prosecutor General’s Office has launched a criminal case, which has been forwarded to the Investigative Committee of Armenia for a preliminary investigation.