Video: Major Misappropriations Registered in Dilijan

The officers of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Prevention Department of the Main Division for the Fight Against Organized Crime of the Police, based on operational information, along with the staff of the Dilijan division, obtained factual data that the Mayor of Dilijan, using his official position, announced an auction to lease the multi-story building of the former 'council of people's deputies' in Dilijan for a term of 40 years, with a starting price of only 1.3 million drams, which is significantly lower than market value, on the pretext of renovating the building, requested by various state agencies and other economic operators.

Following this, according to preliminary data, the mayor colluded with the head of the financial department of the municipality to organize a sham auction 30 days prior, ensuring the company founded in the name of the head's daughter would win. During this formal auction, the head of the financial department established prior arrangements with the founder-director of another company to ensure their participation, offering to sign and finalize false documents concerning the submission and participation in the auction. With the assistance of committee members, they introduced blatant false information into the official documents and, under a fictitious signature, prepared and approved the official documents regarding the holding of the auction meeting. Based on these, on April 28, 2006, a sales contract was signed, leasing the property for an annual fee of approximately 1.4 million drams for 40 years to the company established in the name of the head's daughter.

After that, the mayor, misusing his official position to the detriment of service interests, chose not to review or terminate the clearly unprofitable rental agreement for the municipality's property, in which the company made no investments for the projected renovation. As a result, from June 30, 2006, to September 26, 2018, approximately 88.8 million drams were collected from sub-lessees of the municipal property, with just about 15.6 million drams transferred to the municipal budget, causing the municipality damage amounting to around 73.2 million drams.

A criminal case has been initiated regarding the apparent crimes. Measures are being taken to clarify all circumstances of the cases. The pre-investigation is ongoing.