The Department of State Interests Protection of the Prosecutor General’s Office examined the documents regarding the territory belonging to the Artists’ union of Armenia and adjacent territories.  

It was revealed by the examination that on September 1, 1995 a contract was concluded between “The Artists’ Union” NGO and “Aghabekyan and Bek International” IP. Pursuant to the agreement the land plot with the surface of 3800.5 square meters with 4 semi-constructed buildings located in the middle part of 16 Abovyan Str and “Moscow” cinema was sold to “Aghabekyan and Bek International” for USD 300 thousand, however “The Artists’ Union” NGO didn’t have that right.

Afterwards, on August 28, 1996 the same territory was alienated to “Mellat” bank through the public auction.

On May 5, 2000, the territory with the semi-constructed buildings was registered under the name of “Mellat” bank, under the right of ownership and the land plot with the surface of 3281 square meters was leased to the same bank.

It must be mentioned that the Municipality of the Yerevan city in its letter addressed to “Mellat” bank and dated June 15, 2006 mentioned that the land plot with the surface of 3281 square meters leased to the Bank was included in the list of restrictions of Article 60 of the Land Code and shall not be subject to alienation.

On July 19, 2006 the “Mellat Bank” CJSC alienated the immovable property located at 16 Abovyan Str. to “Didas International” LLC for AMD 798 million 84 thousand.  

On August 22, 2006 the right of ownership of “Didas International” LLC over the semi-constructed buildings with the surface of 3800.5 square meters and land plot with the surface of 3281 square meters were registered in the Cadastre Committee.

The examination also revealed that “Didas International” LLC concluded a contract with “Jukhtak” LLC  on July 6, 2007 and bought a land plot with the surface of 554.3 square meters as well as a garage with the surface of 35.2 square meters located at 3 Tumanyan Str.. 

The examination carried out by the Prosecutor’s Office revealed that the abovementioned territory was involved in the cultural monuments’ protection zone, the evidence whereof is the letter received from the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, according to which the land plot was involved in the list of restrictions of the Land Code at the moment of its registration under the Company’s name.

On September 20, 2023 the Anti-corruption committee initiated a criminal proceedings  under article 89 and article 184 of the Criminal Code adopted on 01.07.1961, which was in force at the moment of the commission of the crime as well as under part 1 of article 314 of the Criminal Code adopted on 18.04.2003.

In the scope of the powers of initiating a claim on state interest protection the Prosecutor General’s Office shall submit a claim to the Administrative court for the purpose of returning the territory to the community.