Prosecutor's Office Demands to Revoke Sukiasyan's Ownership Rights to 'Sil Plaza'

The publication 'Hetq' reports that the Prosecutor General's Office is challenging the legality of the privatization of the 'Sil Plaza' business center located in downtown Yerevan through court.

The Prosecutor's Office is demanding the Administrative Court to revoke the ownership rights of the company belonging to Khachatur Sukiasyan, a member of the 'Civil Contract' faction in the National Assembly and a prominent businessman, and his family members over 'Sil Plaza'. The Administrative Court has placed a ban on 'Sil Plaza'.

In addition to the administrative proceedings, the Prosecutor General's Office has initiated a criminal case regarding the privatization of the same building in the framework of state interest protection (a criminal case has been launched).

This legal process is based on an investigation published by 'Hetq' last year, which provided details on the history of the privatization of 'Sil Plaza', which took place 25 years ago.

This legal process occurs shortly after Anna Vardapetyan, a former assistant to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, was appointed as Prosecutor General. Vardapetyan began her work in this position on September 15 of this year.

In response to a written inquiry from the media, the Prosecutor's Office has stated that based on the review initiated in the department for the protection of state interests regarding the publication titled '$5655. Privatization at a 'Water Price'', a lawsuit was filed with the Administrative Court on October 28.

The Prosecutor's Office demands that the court recognize the lack of a legal relationship regarding the transfer of real estate at 3 and 5 Arami Street, Yerevan, between the Executive Committee of the Yerevan City Council and the 'Astghik-1' cooperative and, as a consequence, annul the state's registration of rights.

According to information available in the judicial information system, Administrative Court judge Ani Harutyunyan has accepted the Prosecutor's lawsuit and has agreed to the request for provisional remedies, scheduling a preliminary court session.

Thus, a ban has been placed on the ownership rights of the building of the 'Sil Plaza' business center owned by 'Grzo Plaza' LLC, preventing it from being transferred until a final court decision is reached. The Cadastre Committee is the respondent in this case, while 'Grzo Plaza' LLC has been included as a third party.

The first court session in this case is scheduled for February 16, 2023.

It should also be noted that in addition to filing an administrative lawsuit, the Prosecutor's Office has indicated that a criminal case will be launched. The Prosecutor's Office has not provided further details on which article of the Criminal Code the criminal proceedings have been initiated under. It is also unclear which body will conduct the pre-trial investigation.