As a result of an examination conducted by the Prosecutor's Office of Shirak region within the scope of its authority to protect state (community) interests, it was established that A.A., while serving as the Head of Ashotsk village from 2006 to 2016 and subsequently as the Head of the enlarged Ashotsk community from 2016 to 2018, unlawfully granted a private individual lease rights to a 5 ha agricultural arable land plot located in the Sizavet settlement of the Ashotsk Community, Shirak region.

The examination also established that, by a decision of 24 July 2009, the Head of the Ashotsk Community, A.A., granted lease rights for a 25-year term over a 4.73 ha agricultural arable land plot located in Ashotsk Village to an individual purportedly recognized as the winner of a public auction. However, the individual stated that they had not participated in any auction for the lease of the land.

The examination further established that, by a decision of 15 June 2016, A.A. granted lease rights for a 25-year term over another 5.9 ha agricultural arable land plot to an individual purportedly recognized as the winner of a public auction, meanwile the individual stated that they had not participated in any auction relating to the lease of the land.

Based on these abovementioned, the Prosecutor's Office of Shirak region submitted a motion to the Head of the Ashotsk Community, demanding that measures be taken to return the above-mentioned arable lands to the Ashotsk community's land balance and to terminate their unlawful possession by private individuals.

As a result of the prosecutorial motion, a 15.6 ha land plot has been returned to the possession of the Ashotsk community in Shirak region.

The preliminary investigation in the initiated criminal proceedings is ongoing.