Commissioned by Transparency International Anticorruption Center within the framework of “Engaging Civil Society in Monitoring Conflict of Interest Policies” project Investigative Journalists NGO produced series of investigative articles on conflict of interest in the Marzes of Armenia. Young journalists from Investigative Journalists CSO were engaged in the action to investigate conflict of interest issues in public procurement and contracting of regional government offices – Marzpetarans and income and asset declarations of regional governors – Marzpets. Investigations revealed a number of problems, such as the contracting of companies owned by Marzpets (in Kotayk and Aragatsotn Marzes), Mayors (in Lori and Vaiq Marzes), MPs (in Syunik, Armavir, Ararat and Tavush Marzes) and the Prime Minister (in Ararat Marz) and/or their close relatives.

Articles were published in the electronic news of Hetq Online, which is a popular and independent electronic media outlet.

Officials Benefit from Public Procurements: Vanadzor Mayor as the Road Constructor of Lori Marz (in Armenian)
BUAT of Hermine Naghdalyan in Government’s Urgent Programs (in Armenian)
Armavir Marzpetaran and Construction Companies Have Divided the Marz Territory Amongst Themselves (in Armenian)

Former Kotayk Governor Signed 90 Million AMD in Contracts with Companies He Owned
When Aram Harutyunyan was the Kotayk Provincial Governor (currently Chairman of Armenia’s State Committee of Water Economy), he funneled millions of AMD in state aid to companies he owned. To be precise, Harutyunyan channeled 240 million AMD out of 731 million that the government allocated to Kotayk in 2014 targeting communities and the problems they faced.

Company Owned by Brother of Aragatzotn Governor Gets Millions in Construction Contracts
In 2014, Armenia’s government allocated 300 million AMD (US$634,000) to the Aragatzotn Provincial Authority as part of a program to resolve the most pressing issues in the province. Half of the money, 150 million AMD, wound up be funneled to company owned by the brother of Provincial Governor Sargis Sahakyan.

No Tender Windfall: Company Owned by Vayk Mayor Gets 28 Million AMD Contract
In comparison to Armenia’s other provinces, the urgent problems faced by Vayots Dzor, in Armenia’s south central region, are fewer. In 2014, only five projects designed to resolve Vayots Dzor’s top issues were carried out. The national government earmarked 197.6 million AMD (US$416,000) for all five.

Pavements in Berd Community Have Been Renovated by the Company of Mayor’s Wife (in Armenian)
Gegharkounik Contracts: Millions to Companies Owned by Relatives of Former Deputy Governor and Vardenis Mayor
In 2014, a 32.2 million AMD (US$62,000) contract to pave a road in the Gegharkounik community of Yeranos went to a company 95% owned by the brother Artoush Ghukasyan, a well connected member of the ruling Republican Party with long years of service in the Gegharkounik Provincial Government.

Shirak: Connected Companies Still Receiving Millions in Government Work Contracts
All of the 660 million AMD (US$1.4 million) the Armenian government earmarked to solve the most pressing problems in the province of Shirak went to contractors on a negotiated basis; that’s to say, without any tender bids. As a result, government procurement contracts went to companies owned by members of the ruling Republican Party or to those owed by close associates. 296.4 million was targeted to renovate schools and 363.6 million to fix the roads in the country’s northern province.

Former MP’s Company Without Tender Has Renovated the Akner-Verishen Road (in Armenian)
Millionaire and Billionaire Marzpets of Armenia (in Armenian)