New Bill Proposes Seizure of Goods Sold in Unspecified Locations

The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia has introduced a new bill proposing the seizure of goods sold in unspecified locations, which would then be sold by the community. The relevant bill has already been submitted for discussion. It pertains to both Yerevan and all other communities.

If the owner of the goods pays the maximum penalty amount provided for this violation to the account of the regulatory body within three working days, along with the transportation and storage costs for these goods, then the goods will be returned to the mentioned individual until the completion of the proceedings. The management of the paid amounts will be resolved by the administrative act issued in the case, after it comes into force and becomes unappealable.

If the amount is not paid within the three-day period, perishable goods will be sold by the head of the respective community. The revenue obtained from the sale will be transferred to the community account and managed only after the administrative act related to that case comes into force and becomes unappealable, specifying the amounts to be confiscated and returned in the concluding part of the act.

The procedure for the sale of seized goods will be determined by the community council.

An individual from whom the specified items have been seized can retrieve them by paying the maximum penalty amount and the necessary costs for the transportation and storage of these goods to the account of the regulatory body as a deposit within five working days, and within one working day for perishable goods.

The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure has noted that studies have shown that in recent years, there have not been appropriate legislative regulations for outdoor trade and trade in general, which would allow such activities to be carried out in accordance with certain regulations and procedures. The presented package of legislative drafts aims to regulate trade activities in the territories of communities and to establish authorities for local self-government bodies to oversee these activities with the aim of preventing illegal trade.