VIDEO: Arabs are buying Armenian lands: What do villagers say?

A new hotel complex is being built at the end of Karbi village. Construction workers on site told NEWS.am that the owner is an Arab man aged 55-60, who married an Armenian girl and has two children with her. The construction of the main building of the complex has already been completed, and the cottages are expected to be finished in five months.

The workers are satisfied with the owner’s attitude and their wages, but a man named David Harutyunyan, an Armenian, is personally overseeing the construction work. They say that besides this building, the Arab also has other investments in Armenia, particularly in Abovyan, he speaks Armenian very well, and comes to Armenia at least 2-3 times a year. The private house next to the hotel also belongs to him.

Recently, there have been many discussions that in the villages of Aragatsotn province, Turks are buying lands and buildings under the name of Arabs. Residents of Ohanavan have heard that suspicious individuals have also purchased plots of land in their village, even private houses, but they have not seen them. They notice that everyone is presented as Arabs.

Villagers also say that at least a law should be adopted to lease the land to them, rather than granting ownership rights. “It is evident how many areas are being taken by Arabs. But at least let them take it temporarily, let them use it. But the fact that they register it and grant ownership rights means it will belong to them permanently. And Armenia is gradually losing its place,” said one of the villagers from Ohanavan.

Continuing his thought, another villager also noted, “They live well here, they have settled in well, and they are doing their business nicely. They say they are Arabs, while they have plenty of money. If an Armenian buyer offers $5,000 for a piece of land, they offer $15,000. Naturally, the villager sells his land for a higher price.”

One of the villagers works on a plot of land whose owner he does not personally know and has not seen; his immediate employer is Armenian. He has also been told that the landowner is Arab. “I work, but I don’t know who they are. There are Armenians working with me, but I know that it’s not theirs. They are doing construction, sowing, wheat, orchard,” he added.

For details, see the report by news.am.