Since December 2025, as a result of the implementation of motions submitted by the Prosecutor’s Office, 119 illegally constructed permanent and non-permanent buildings and structures have been dismantled (demolished) on 42 lakeside land plots located below the designated water-level elevation of Lake Sevan. In addition, 2 contracts have been terminated by “Sevan National Park” SNCO.

It should be recalled that on December 11, 2025, the Prosecutor’s Office announced the launch of operations of dismantling of illegally constructed buildings and structures on land plots located below the designated water-level elevation in the coastal areas of Lake Sevan. The Prosecutor’s Office had also stated that the demolition of illegal constructions would continue in 2026.

In March 2026, on the basis of motions filed by the prosecutor, 16 additional structures located on 11 land plots were dismantled. These included the fences and the access ramp situated below the designated water-level elevation at a mansion actually owned by former RA Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan (the Prosecutor’s Office has filed a claim concerning the mansion with the competent court), as well as a mansion actually owned by the son of former President of the RA National Assembly Samvel Nikoyan.

It also should be recalled that on February 24, 2026, a cottage illegally constructed below the designated water-level elevation by the brother of former RA Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan was dismantled, along with a cottage illegally built by Karen Rafik Grigoryan, the son of former Head of Gegharkunik — Rafik Grigoryan. Notably, these cottages had been built on land plots for which the developers did not even possess lease rights.

The Prosecutor’s Office announced on February 2, 2026, that on the same day the fence, concrete retaining walls, access ramp and other structures located below the designated water-level elevation at a mansion in Lake Sevan illegally constructed by former Chief of RA Police Vladimir Gasparyan had been dismantled (the Prosecutor’s Office, within the framework of a claim demanding the confiscation of property of illicit origin, is also demanding, inter alia, the confiscation of this mansion from Vladimir Gasparyan and persons affiliated with him).

It also should be recalled that, in addition to the above-mentioned motions, the Prosecutor’s Office has filed claims with the court concerning, i.a.:

• the mansion in Lake Sevan illegally constructed by former Chief of RA Police Vladimir Gasparyan (97, 1st street, Drakhtik community, Gegharkunik region),
• the administrative complex of Harsnaqar Hotel Complex (50 Yerevanyan Highway, Sevan), as well as the cottages of the Harsnaqar Hotel (48/6 Yerevanyan Highway, Sevan),
• the mansion in Lake Sevan illegally constructed by former President of the Football Federation of Armenia and former Member of Parliament Ruben Hayrapetyan (38 Recreation Zone, 3rd street, Sevan),
• the mansion in Lake Sevan illegally constructed by former Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan (71, 1st street, Drakhtik community, Gegharkunik region),
• the mansion in Lake Sevan illegally constructed by Arman Hakobjanyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of “Kapavor” LLC (88, 1st street, Drakhtik community, Gegharkunik region).

As a result of examination conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office of Gegharkunik region within the scope of its authority to initiate claims for the state interests protection, crime reports were submitted to investigative bodies and criminal proceedings were initiated.

The Prosecutor’s Office also announced on May 12, 2026, that the Department of the State Interests Protection of the Prosecutor General’s Office had submitted motions to the Director of “Sevan National Park” SNCO (hereinafter referred as “the SNCO”) and to the Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment, requesting that measures be taken to terminate the lease agreements for coastal land plots of Lake Sevan concluded between the SNCO and Nazik Amiryan on December 26, 2007, as well as the agreements concluded between the SNCO and Varsham Gharibyan on August 2, 2005 and January 19, 2006.

In response to citizens’ concerns as to “why the buildings are being dismantled if they could instead be transferred to socially vulnerable families,” we inform that, the areas located below the 1905.0-meter elevation mark of Lake Sevan constitute flood-prone territory and a protected coastal zone. Government Decision No. 1563-N of December 18, 2008, provides that, as a consequence of the rise in the water level of Lake Sevan, the areas subject to flooding and inundation under the legislation of the Republic of Armenia include the territory extending from the lake’s water boundary within “Sevan National Park” SNCO up to the 1905.0-meter elevation mark.

Therefore, proposals to “transfer the dismantled structures for other purposes” have no legal basis because:

• they are located in areas at risk of flooding and may end up under water,
• no ownership rights may be registered with respect to them, as this is prohibited by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia,
• their existence harms the ecosystem of Lake Sevan, as well as the lake’s cleanliness and water quality.