H.P., holding the position of the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Armenia during 2012-2016, assisted founders and director of Sohocenter LLC to embezzle a land plot with the surface of 300 m2, which constituted the ownership of the state and was separated from the land plot provided to Yerevan specialized secondary music school named after Tchaykovski for gratuitous use. 

Under the proceedings it was substantiated that in 2012 G.D. and H.A founded Sohocenter LLC having the purpose to embezzle the land plot with the surface of 3230.0 m2 provided to  Yerevan specialized secondary music school named after Tchaykovski for gratuitous use, 300 m2 whereof adjacent to Pushkin Str. was encumbered with a boiler house.

Afterwards, 4 days after the foundation of the company N.K. director of the Company submitted an investment program to the mayor of the city of Yerevan suggesting him to provide a land plot with the surface of 300 m2 separated from the land plot located at Koghbatsi 36 for the purpose of building a “World of books” multifunctional complex on the occasion of 500th anniversary of Armenian printing and recognizing Yerevan as the World Book Capital in 2012 by UNESCO. Instead the Company was obliged to carry out construction works of the additional surface to improve the conditions of the school besides the construction of “World of books” multifunctional complex. The mayor addressed the investment program to the former minister H.P., to receive a conclusion.

H.P. using his official powers to the detriment of the state interest, concluded “Property alienation and pledge” and “General contractor” agreements with the Company on December 13, 2012, were he intentionally failed to include the obligation of building “World of books” multifunctional complex which was defined by the decision of the Government. Thus H.P., the former Minister of Culture permitted the Company to register his ownership right over the land plot with the surface of 300 m2 separated from the land plot located at 36 Koghbatsi, city of Yerevan, without fulfilling the abovementioned obligation.  

On December 13, 2022 the supervising prosecutor initiated a public criminal prosecution against H.P. former Minister of Culture of the Republic of Armenia. The Prosecutor rendered decision on initiating public criminal prosecution for commission of publically dangerous action of embezzlement of the property constituting state ownership against G.D., H.A., H.Kh., M.K., former director of Yerevan specialized secondary music school named after Tchaykovski and his brother N.K. as well.

Notice:  A person charged with any crime shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty in the manner prescribed by the RA Criminal Procedure Code—by the judgment came into legal force.