Integrity of Foreign Adoptions In Armenia Still In Question

by Emil Danielyan
RFE/Radio Liberty
April 26, 2011

Armenia -- Children at an orphana

What is an informal payment made to an Armenian government official or civil servant performing their duties? Armenia’s Criminal Code defines it as a bribe that could be punishable by a lengthy prison sentence.

Yet some private U.S. agencies arranging international adoptions of children call it a mere “gift of gratitude” that reflects a long-established local custom and is not illegal. They have for years charged clients in the United States thousands of dollars for such payments which they say are necessary for adopting Armenian orphans. Continue reading »