Six Kindergartens in Alaverdi Illegally Sold and Resold at Higher Prices

The Office of the Prosecutor General reports that preliminary findings have been obtained regarding apparent abuses by officials during the alienation processes of six kindergarten buildings owned by the Alaverdi community, under the direct supervision of the Lori regional prosecutor's office.

On November 14, 2019, materials were prepared, and a response directive was issued to the Lori regional police department in Tumanyan based on a letter addressed to the prosecutor’s office by Lori Governor A. Ghukasyan, accompanied by accompanying documents about illegal decisions made by the Alaverdi community council and community leader during 2003-2005, which resulted in the alienation of six kindergarten buildings and substantial damage to the community's legitimate interests.

During the material preparation, evidence was obtained indicating that competent officials of the Alaverdi City Hall had transferred the six kindergartens owned by the community, as well as an unfinished building constructed as a kindergarten with a capacity of 280, based on group interests favoring their relatives or close ones. They accepted false conclusions regarding the real values of the buildings evaluated by the same individual entrepreneur during 2003-2005, citing a loss of intended purpose due to the violations of civil service public auction legislation. Consequently, these properties were alienated.

Subsequently, a part of these properties was sold to other individuals for amounts substantially exceeding the acquisition value, while the ownership rights of the alienated properties were registered in the names of other individuals. As a result of all this, particularly significant harm was inflicted on the Alaverdi community.

The alienation of real estate intended for organizing preschool educational institutions has led to a significant decrease in the effectiveness of implementing preschool and extracurricular education in the community, the harmonious and comprehensive development of children, as well as teaching and education. This has also caused substantial damage to the legitimate interests of the community and the state, resulting in serious consequences.

In connection with the fact, a criminal case has been initiated under the direct supervision of the regional prosecutor in the Tumanyan division of the police based on the features defined in part 1 of Article 314, part 2 of Article 214, and part 2 of Article 308 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. The criminal case has been sent to the Lori regional investigative department for further investigation.

Notice: The suspected or accused party is considered innocent until proven guilty according to the procedures established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia, as per a legally enforceable court decision.