The statement of claim, submitted by the Department of the State Interests Protection of the Prosecutor General’s Office was awarded by the judgment of the Anti-corruption court dated February 9, 2024: the land plot with the total surface of 1 ha adjacent to Aghavnadzor settlement of Kotayk region was returned to the Republic of Armenia.

The Department of the State Interests Protection of the Prosecutor General’s Office requested the Court to declare the auctions regarding the land plot with the surface of 1 ha adjacent to Aghavnadzor settlement of Kotayk region invalid and to apply result of invalidity.

Let us remind, that under the criminal proceedings it was found out that by the decision of regional governor (marzpet) of Kotayk region dated April 23, 2007, a land plot with the surface of 48.57 ha falling out of the borders of the community, located at the territory of the region and constituting a specially protected area owned by the state was presented for alienation through auction. Based on the abovementioned decision, an auction took place on May 26, 2007 and two land plots with the surfaces 0.5 ha were alienated to the citizen A. Khachatryan (in total AMD 2 million 430 thousand).

In the scope of the Criminal Proceedings it was established that in fact auctions didn’t take place, they were of formal nature and violated the requirements of the Law “On public biddings” and the decision of the Government of April 12, 2001 “On approving the order of the state owned land plots’ alienation and provision for use”: without actually organizing or holding auctions, false documents stating that the auction took place and certain people were declared winners were drawn up. Land plot sale and purchase agreements were concluded with the mentioned individuals and pursuant thereof real estate state registration was made.   

By the decision of the Anti-corruption court dated February 9, 2024, two auctions conducted by the regional governor’s office (marzpetaran) of Kotayk region on May 26, 2007 were recognized invalid: as a result, the sale and purchase agreement concluded between the regional governor of Kotayk region and the citizen A. Khachatryan on May 31, 2007 as well as state registration of ownership right made in the State Committee of the Real Estate Cadaster were recognized invalid.

The ownership right of the Republic of Armenia over two land plots with the surface of 1 ha adjacent to Aghavnadzor settlement of Kotayk region was restored (recognized).

The judgment entered into force on March 12, 2024.