Vardan Ghukasian to be summoned for questioning

Based on a report submitted by the Tumo Center, a criminal case has been initiated, in which the former mayor of Gyumri and MP of the 'Prosperous Armenia' faction, Vardan Ghukasian, is set to be questioned. This was announced today, February 3, at a press conference by the Shirak region prosecutor, Karen Gabrielyan.

“One of the specified cases was initiated based on a report submitted by the management of the Tumo Center, which disputes the fact that there are areas and buildings that were illegally transferred to other individuals by the previously mentioned mayor. In this regard, a criminal case has been filed under Articles 308 and 314 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. That is, for the abuse of official position and for the commission of official forgery,” said the regional prosecutor.

Gabrielyan stated that it has been established that these buildings were located in the Kumayri Reserve, and to clarify the legality and justification of their allocation, forensic construction and forensic material examinations have been appointed. “We need to determine whether these buildings were authorized for transfer or not, and whether the prices for the transferred buildings correspond to the construction cost applicable in that year. To clarify the legality and justification of the allocation, forensic construction and forensic material examinations have been appointed. This also concerns the 'Oasis' café owned by the Ghukasian family,” he added.

The prosecutor noted that Vardan Ghukasian has not yet been questioned. “We are initiating his summons for questioning. I have preliminary seen violations, which is why our side filed a criminal case. But we will give a final assessment when we have the examination results. At that time, we will decide on the matter of bringing charges against individuals. We will receive the conclusion and only then will we bring charges,” he stated.