Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee carried out investigative actions at the Eco Patrol Service on the morning of August 4 and detained several officials, including the head of the Sevan division, Poghos Martirosyan, according to Factor TV.
Citing its sources, Factor.am reported that those detained also include senior shift officer Artush Hambardzumyan and Davit Galoyan, commander of the Water Patrol Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Patrol Service.
According to the report, the detained officials allegedly acted in prior agreement with a group of individuals and directed fishermen to illegally catch Sevan trout, a species listed in Armenia’s Red Book of protected animals.
The Eco Patrol Service is primarily responsible for protecting state forests, forest lands, and specially protected natural areas, as well as detecting, preventing, and deterring violations within the scope of its legal authority.
Its duties also include ensuring compliance with protection rules for state forests, forest lands, and protected natural areas, overseeing fire safety in forests and protected territories, safeguarding ecosystems and their components in Armenia’s protected areas, ensuring their sustainable development, and preventing or mitigating negative impacts caused by human activity.
