On 20 July 2026, the prosecutor, having approved the indictment, submitted to the Anti-Corruption Court of the Republic of Armenia the criminal proceedings against K.A., who served as the First Deputy Mayor of Yerevan from 2003 to 2009.

The criminal proceedings established that K.A., by using his official powers contrary to the interests of the service, participated in the unlawful alienation process of two land plots (each measuring 6,000 sq. m) located at the intersection of Azatutyan Avenue and Babayan Street, which were state-owned and included in the list of lands subject to restrictions under Article 60 of the Land Code.

The preliminary investigation established that the above-mentioned land plots had been provided to the public organizations “Hayrenik-Diaspora Bridge” and “Saint Lazarus” under the right of gratuitous (permanent) use. Meanwhile, according to a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, these plots were included among the specially protected areas designated for the expansion of green spaces in Yerevan, were intended for the establishment of a citywide park, and, pursuant to the Land Code, were not subject to alienation.

Being aware of the legal status of the land plots, K.A. approved, by his signature, draft decisions on their alienation, thereby creating the basis for the adoption of relevant decisions by the Mayor of Yerevan. As a result, the two land plots were alienated through direct sale to the public organizations for AMD 98.856 million each.

The criminal proceedings substantiated that, as a result of these actions, state-owned green areas that were not subject to alienation were removed from state ownership records, the statutory restrictions applicable to them were eliminated, and conditions were created for the further privatization of adjacent territories. Ultimately, Yerevan was deprived of the opportunity to create new parks and public green spaces; areas previously accessible to the public became private property, and citizens’ right to live in a favourable environment was violated.

The prosecutor initiated public criminal prosecution against K.A. under part 2 of Article 308 of the Criminal Code adopted on 18 April 2003 (two counts) (abuse of official powers).

On 20 July 2026, the criminal case materials, together with the approved indictment, were referred to the Anti-Corruption Court.

It should be recalled that within the framework of the same criminal proceedings, on 23 April 2026, the prosecutor also initiated public criminal prosecution against former Mayor of Yerevan Y.Z. under part 2 of Article 308 of the Criminal Code adopted on 18 April 2003 (two counts) (abuse of official powers resulting in grave consequences through negligence), as well as against A.L., who served as Head of the Department of Architecture and Urban Development of the Yerevan Municipality Staff from 15 September 2006 to 11 April 2008, and G.M., who served as Head of the Department for Real Estate Management of the Yerevan Municipality Staff from 24 September 2004 to 28 September 2007.

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.