Prosecutors seek trial in absentia for fugitive ex-official accused of embezzling $2.5 million in EU grants

Armenian prosecutors have asked a court to conduct a trial in absentia for a fugitive ex-finance ministry official suspected of embezzling over $2.5 million from the EU through a fake grant scheme.

The suspect allegedly committed the crimes while serving as a Finance Ministry official from 2009 to 2014.

The suspect, identified by initials H.G., is the former head of the Department of coordination of the work with the EU at the Ministry of Finance. According to a press release by the Prosecutor-General’s Office, H.G. allegedly conspired with an employee at the EU Armenia office, identified by the initials M.P., as well as with employees at the OSCE offices and other individuals, to present fake grant projects through various NGOs. By winning these grants, the suspect is accused of embezzling a total of $2.5 million from the EU on 16 different occasions between 2009 and 2014.

H.G. is charged with 16 counts of embezzlement and 14 counts of falsifying documents. Authorities have issued an international arrest warrant for the suspect. On December 9, 2025, the prosecutor approved the indictment and submitted the materials to the court. The prosecutor also requested that the court start a trial in absentia.