Expert comments on FSIB head's detention and Moscow trip

Ten days after the dismissal and subsequent arrest of the former head of Armenia’s Food Safety Inspection Body (FSIB), Armen Danielyan, the agency remains without a new director. Danielyan is currently in custody, facing charges of large-scale embezzlement through abuse of office.

Strikingly, just days before his arrest in mid-April, Danielyan traveled to Moscow, where he met with Sergey Dankvert, head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor). The two officials discussed prospects of strengthening bilateral cooperation and future steps toward deepening their partnership. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan dismissed Danielyan two weeks after his Moscow trip.

Given the nature of high-level corruption investigations, which typically involve prolonged and complex procedures, Danielyan was likely under scrutiny well before his Moscow visit. This raises questions about the decision to assign him to such a diplomatic mission.

Speaking to Panorama.am on Thursday, Babken Pipoyan, President of the Informed and Protected Consumer NGO, strongly criticized the move.

“For me, this was the most disturbing part of the entire story. I wouldn’t have brought it up unprompted, but frankly, it’s nothing short of a disgrace," Pipoyan said.

He emphasized that early warning signs had surfaced long before Danielyan’s arrest.

“It’s hard to believe there weren’t preliminary concerns. Even in public discourse and among journalists, there had been rumors about misuse of fuel. Of course, we must uphold the presumption of innocence,” he said.

Pipoyan further questioned the rationale behind entrusting a diplomatically critical assignment to an official potentially under investigation.

“If the authorities knew Danielyan was under suspicion and possibly facing charges, how could they send him to represent the country in negotiations of strategic importance?” he asked. “These aren’t just technical discussions, they often involve informal understandings. How can the other party in the negotiation process take the next Armenian official seriously after all this?”

“I’m not saying the misconduct should have been ignored or that Danielyan shouldn’t have been arrested. But this outcome could have been anticipated and better managed," the expert added.