Former Mayor of Yerevan Illegally Registered Acquired Properties in the Names of Close Associates

Based on operational and investigative measures undertaken by the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia, facts have been gathered in accordance with articles 180-181 of the RA Criminal Procedure Code, indicating that responsible officials endowed with the powers of the representative of the authority in the Center community of Yerevan, in 2009, reached preliminary agreements with the individual holding the position of Yerevan mayor at that time. They decided to transfer community-owned properties without compensation, motivated by group interests, thereby abusing their official powers. Despite lacking any legal grounds to donate the community property to third parties, and ignoring the potential use of these properties for the actual needs of the community, they discussed and approved the transfer of the real estate located at 40a Mashtots Avenue, building No. 100 (171.9 sq. m) to A.S.V., and the property at 4 Charents Street, building No. 129 (103.1 sq. m) to V.S.D., and the property at 5a Vardanants Street, building No. 366 (107.9 sq. m) to S.M.H. during formally convened council meetings on 27.05.2009 and 06.05.2009, thereby granting them ownership rights.

Subsequently, some time later, on 02.02.2011, 10.02.2011, and 01.06.2011, in accordance with prior agreements, these individuals sold the properties for minimal amounts to close relatives of the former mayor or persons associated with him.

As a result of these actions, the normal functioning of the local self-government bodies has been disrupted, causing significant damage to the legitimate interests of the community, with serious consequences, where properties worth particularly large sums, totaling 235,000,000 AMD, were unlawfully transferred to the control and actual illegal possession of other individuals.

At the same time, evidence has been gathered indicating that the former mayor, intending to conceal the source of these illegally acquired large-scale properties, in agreement with the authorized officials of the Yerevan City Hall, used his official position to formally register the ownership rights to the illegally obtained real estate in the names of his close associates and those acting under his service, thus concealing the actual origin of these properties and maintaining the capacity to manage them without legal repercussions.

A criminal case was initiated on August 14, 2020, in the Investigative Department of the NSS of Armenia. Necessary investigative and other procedural actions are being carried out to verify the hypothesis of illegal acquisition of other community properties through a corrupt scheme by officials, clarify the circumstances of the case, provide appropriate legal evaluation of the actions of the officials, and restore the legitimate interests of the community.

It is also noteworthy that evidence has been gathered in another criminal case currently under investigation by the Investigative Department of the NSS, regarding the former mayor's illegal possession of a total of 27 community-owned real properties, including several designed for preschool educational institutions, which has significantly reduced the efficiency of organizing preschool and extracurricular education in the community and the harmonious development, education, and upbringing of children.

Notice: The person suspected or accused of the alleged crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law by a legally binding court decision.