Damage of 153 million AMD: violations were revealed during the  leasing of land to telecommunications operators

ArmInfo. Violations and abuses were revealed in the communities of Armenia regarding the leasing of real estate, particularly state and community property, with the  subsequent execution of sublease to telecommunication operators.

According to the RA Prosecutor General's Office, the revealed  violations and abuses cover 20 communities of 8 regions of the  republic (Kotayk, Shirak, Syunik, Tavush, Gegharkunik, Aragatsotn,  Ararat, Lori). As of May 6, according to these facts, 19 criminal  cases were instituted and are at the stage of preliminary  investigation. In particular, it turned out that, starting in 2004,  community leaders leased land owned by state or community property to  their relatives or subordinates for a nominal rent, much lower than  the market. To this end, in some cases, fictitious tenders were  organized. Further, land plots were subleased at a cost that exceeded  200-300-fold the aforementioned symbolic fee, due to which large  profits were made from the heads of communities for personal use.

The total damage caused to communities in these cases amounted to 153  million drams, of which more than 41.5 million drams have already  been recovered. 6 former or current heads of communities were  arrested; a preventive measure in the form of a recognizance not to  leave was applied to three. Considering that these persons either  fully or partially (with a promise of full payment) restored the  damage caused, preventive measures were canceled against them. In  total, as of May 6, ten persons were charged under various articles  of the RA Criminal Code. Work is underway to restore the full extent  of the damage.