Harich Community Leader Charged

In the Shirak regional investigation department of the RA Investigative Committee, a criminal case has been established regarding the abuse of official powers by the Harich community leader. The investigation revealed multiple instances of construction activities conducted within the territory of the Harichavank Monastery complex, which is a cultural heritage site, without the permission of the authorized body.

As a result of inspections carried out by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, it was determined that within the territory of the Harichavank Monastery complex, dated from the 7th to the 19th century, a project for the conservation zones of the historical and cultural monument was approved on December 15, 2011, with the signatures and seals of the Shirak governor and the Harich community leader and confirmed on January 10, 2012, with the signature and seal of the Minister of Culture. According to this project, the Harichavank Monastery complex, which has a 2.85-hectare protection zone and a 1-hectare monument area, falls under the category of culturally significant lands.

These lands have a status defined by RA legislation, and any land allocations, agricultural, construction, and other activities within this territory are coordinated with the Ministry of Culture of RA. However, illegal construction has taken place.

Considering the prepared materials, legal grounds were identified for initiating a criminal case. The investigation revealed that the community leader, who has held the position since 2001, used his official position against the interests of service, driven by personal and group interests, and knowing the status of the monastery complex, leased community-owned agricultural and pasture lands located within the protection zone of the Harichavank Monastery to his nephew residing in the Arab Republic of Iraq without coordinating with the authorized body and contrary to the decision of the community council.

Using unverified methods, this nephew constructed a stone structure known as a "mataghatun" under the monastic wall without the necessary permits, thereby causing significant damage to the rights and legitimate interests of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.

Simultaneously, the community leader, who is mandated by legal acts to halt illegal constructions on community-owned lands, knowingly failed to take measures to stop the unauthorized construction of the "mataghatun" and deliberately did not apply administrative liability measures to the individual who carried out the unauthorized structure as stipulated by administrative legislation.

Based on the gathered sufficient evidence, the Harich community leader has been charged under Part 1 of Article 308 of the RA Criminal Code. A signature not to flee has been selected as the precautionary measure against him. The investigation is ongoing. Measures are being taken to clarify all circumstances of the case.