Video: "I was walking around downtown, and someone set up a shopping center. What are we doing?" - Mayor

During a meeting of the operational council of the Yerevan Municipality, the head of the trade and services department, Hovik Safaryan, discussed the powers of the regulatory body concerning street trade. He stated, "The regulatory body related to street trading has almost no authority, especially we cannot enforce any administrative actions against individuals."

Mayor Hrachya Sargsyan inquired, "I was walking around downtown, and someone set up a shopping center between SAS and Amiryan. I am sure they are not just supporting a family, but have established a business. What are we doing about this?" In response, Safaryan noted that the person in question has been fined multiple times, and the police will be initiating enhanced services.

Sargsyan replied, "I believe that if the daily service continues for a month, we will not have the issue a month later. However, as I understand, it has already been the third month that activities are ongoing there. The sidewalk has been taken, obstructing citizens' free movement. I think we can organize that trade will no longer take place there based on the violation of citizens' free movement. If we wait a bit longer, they might construct an illegal structure on the sidewalk."

According to the department head, this individual is insolvent, and fines have had no effect, but additional measures will be undertaken.