VIDEO. Cases of Unauthorized Seizure of Community Land and Unauthorized Construction of Buildings Discovered

Based on a letter received from the Inspection Body of Urban Development, Technical and Fire Safety of the Republic of Armenia, factual data has been obtained through materials prepared by the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Directorate of the Police. It has been established that employees of the Urban Development Surveillance Division of the inspection body discovered 15 cases of unauthorized construction and seizure of community land in the administrative districts of Kentron, Malatia-Sebastia, Davitashen, Ajapnyak, and Erebuni in Yerevan during the period of 2020-2021. The materials and supporting photographs prepared by the division have been regularly sent electronically to the staff of the Yerevan City Hall for the competent officials and subdivisions to take appropriate measures, while unauthorized construction works have continued and been completed.

This was reported by the Police Public Relations Department. Employees of the relevant subdivisions of the Yerevan City Hall and the staff of the mentioned administrative districts, who have a legal obligation to suspend the unauthorized seizure of state or community-owned land and the unauthorized construction of buildings and structures, have intentionally failed to apply the administrative liability measures as stipulated in Article 154 of the Administrative Code of the Republic of Armenia in a number of cases. Also, they did not suspend unauthorized construction work and did not eliminate their consequences as required by Articles 26 of the Law on Urban Development and 42 of the Law on Local Self-Governance.

A criminal case has been initiated in the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Directorate. The circumstances are being clarified.