Video: Vardenut Residents Protest Outside Government Building

Residents of the village of Vardenut in the Aragatsotn Province held a protest in front of the Government building today. They demand equivalent compensation for their lands, which have been declared as of public importance by the government.

Khore Petrosyan, one of the villagers, recalled in a conversation with reporters that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently met with residents and suggested that they and the investors negotiate a compromise to resolve the issue. The villagers agreed, but since they were unable to present their concerns in detail to Prime Minister Pashinyan, they have come today for discussions, only to learn that he is on vacation.

“Almost 274 units of land in the village have been recognized as public interest, and lawsuits have been filed for 255 units, with nearly 230 lawsuits currently in process,” he stated, mentioning that they demand 2000 drams per square meter.

It is noteworthy that by a decision dated March 2, 2023, the Government of Armenia recognized a 110-hectare area belonging to the residents as public interest. It is planned to develop tourism in the area, creating summer and winter tourism, ski resort, and eco-agricultural production centers. Furthermore, within the framework of the “Aragats” investment program, a reservoir is planned to be constructed.

It should be mentioned that on June 24, the residents of Vardenut blocked the Yerevan-Aparan road protesting that the “Rid” company is trying to purchase their agricultural lands, offering only around 300 drams per square meter, which has dissatisfied the villagers.