Russian nationals charged with money laundering after attempted transfer of 72.6 million rubles to Armenia

Armenian investigators have charged two Russian citizens with money laundering after the authorities discovered 72.6 million Russian rubles in cash allegedly brought into the country through illegal channels, the Investigative Committee said on Wednesday.

The case stems from incidents at Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport on April 30 and May 1, according to information previously requested by Panorama.am.

Authorities said a Russian citizen identified only by the initials R.T. was found carrying 65 million rubles in cash upon arrival in Armenia on April 30. One day later, another Russian citizen identified as H.T., a relative of R.T., was allegedly found carrying an additional 7.6 million rubles in cash.

The Investigative Committee said criminal proceedings were launched by its Main Department for Economic Crimes and Smuggling Investigations under Article 296.3 of Armenia’s Criminal Code, which concerns large-scale money laundering.

Under Armenian law, money laundering includes the conversion, transfer, concealment, possession or use of assets known to have been obtained through criminal activity. Convictions involving especially large sums can carry prison sentences ranging from six to 12 years.

The committee confirmed that charges have been filed against the two Russian nationals but declined to provide further details, citing restrictions under Armenia’s Law on Freedom of Information related to non-public criminal investigation materials.

Panorama.am had also asked investigators whether the two cases were connected to earlier incidents reported by Armenia’s State Revenue Committee on March 27, when the authorities said between 18 million and 100 million rubles had been transferred into Armenia through similar methods.

Investigators did not disclose whether the cases are linked or whether the origin and intended use of the funds had been established.