New Charges Filed Against Former Vanadzor Mayor Mamikon Aslanyan

The Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia continues the preliminary investigation into the criminal case regarding the abuse of power by the former head of the Vanadzor community. This was reported by the Investigative Committee.

Earlier, it was informed that the former head of the Vanadzor community, during his term from 2016 to 2021, abused his official powers, clearly acted outside his authority, and committed official forgery, causing significant damage to the rights and legal interests of the state and the community.

As a result of necessary investigative and procedural actions carried out during the preliminary investigation, additional cases of official forgery and abuse of power by the former community leader have been revealed. In particular, factual data have been obtained showing that the former head of Vanadzor, during the period from 2019 to 2021, included falsified data in a number of decisions made by him and abused his official powers, changing the intended use of several plots of land, classified as public green areas under the community's master plan and not transferable to citizens and legal entities, in accordance with the restrictions listed in Article 60 of the Land Code of the Republic of Armenia.

By endorsing a fake certificate, which claims that the aforementioned plots are not included in the list of restrictions provided for by the Land Code, he submitted it, along with relevant decisions of the mayor, to the territorial subdivision of the Cadastre Committee of the Republic of Armenia. Based on these documents, the right of ownership over the mentioned plots was registered for the Vanadzor community, designating the intended use as residential and the functional use as public construction. The community organized auctions for the plots included in the list of lands to be alienated by the community, and in some cases, directly sold them off through his decisions to preferred individuals.

As a result, these plots, designated as public green areas in the master plan and prohibited from alienation under paragraph 6 of Article 60 of the Land Code, were alienated, causing significant damage to the rights and legal interests of the state and the community. The community and the state lost the opportunity to use these areas designated for public enjoyment according to their intended purpose and to serve the public interest.

With the sufficient evidence gathered, the charges against him have been supplemented with new accusations under the third part of Article 309, the second part of Article 308 (7 episodes), the first part of Article 314 (4 episodes), and the first part of Article 308 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. The prosecuting authority has submitted a motion to the court to extend the previously selected measure of restraint, arrest, against the former community leader. The investigation continues.

Notice: The suspect or accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law and by a court decision that has entered into force.