Thursday, December 6 2018 16:07

ArmInfo.The government of Armenia has to decide to accept the "gift" from General Manvel Grigoryan and the former head of the Armenian customs Armen  Avetisyan, or to go on the way of confiscation. The chairman of the  State Property Management Committee Narek Babayan told reporters on  December 6.

The other day, the Armenian Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan  said that the arrested General Manvel Grigoryan appealed to the  government, saying that he would "give" the state the territory of  his Ankalich farm in the area of 330 hectares belonging to him. The  area of buildings and structures on it is 5445 sq.m.  The market  value of property presented by Manvel Grigoryan to the state is 5.84  billion drams, or more than 10.5 million dollars. The owner of the  Golden Palace hotel complex in Tsakhkadzor, Armen Avetisyan, the  former head of the Customs Service, who is accused of illegal  business activities and legalization of criminally obtained sums on a  large scale (money laundering), also declared readiness to "donate to  the state". First, as Babayan pointed out, it is necessary for law  enforcement agencies to react appropriately, after which the  government will instruct and initiate the process. "Specifically,  according to the Golden Palace, we clarify the procedures, a draft of  the relevant decision will be submitted to the government and, after  a positive decision on acceptance of the deed of gift, the  corresponding notarial procedures will begin. Then the property will  be registered as state," he explained.

According to him, both in the case of Avetisyan and General Manvel  Grigoryan, the conclusion of the relevant investigative body, which  is in charge of the proceedings on the legality of the acquisition of  this property, is important. Then it would be wrong to accept this  property on the state balance on the basis of a deed of gift. "On the  other hand, the government itself makes this political decision,  taking into account the conclusion of the law enforcement agency. Now  we are waiting for the final order, but at the same time we are  working on other options," Babayan said.

Meanwhile, he stressed, if the investigation finds that Grigoryan and  Avetisyan acquired the property illegally, it is possible that the  process of gratuitous transfer of property to the state will be  canceled and it will be confiscated. Nevertheless, as Babayan noted,  it will be possible to judge the legality of the acquisition of  property only after the court makes a decision. "And this may be  delayed for years. It turns out that, despite the authorities' desire  to restore justice, it would be more beneficial for the government,  at least in view of time constraints, to agree to a wide "gesture"  from Grigoryan and Avetisyan, "he noted.

As expected, in the future, this property will be evaluated by  qualified appraisers, and alienated by direct auction. In this case,  as Babayan assured, its sale at a reduced price is excluded, as well  as alienation to persons affiliated with members of the government.  The ideal option, specifically on the hotel "Golden Palace",  according to the head of the Office, would be if it becomes part of  an international hotel chain.  At the same time, as Narek Babayan  reported, despite early statements by the Acting head of government,  he is not informed that there are many "willing" to donate their  property to the state.