ArmInfo. On the basis of operational data obtained as a result of large-scale measures, the Department for Combating Corruption and Economic Crimes of the RA Police Main Directorate revealed criminal schemes for the alienation of state property, as a result of which the state suffered huge damage in the amount of about 1.361 billion drams.
As reported by the press service of the RA General Prosecutor's Office, the former Minister of Urban Development of the RA was involved in the criminal scheme, under which in 2008-2009 and 2014-2015 with the involvement of high-ranking officials and abuse of power, numerous real estate objects were sold under criminal schemes, causing damage to the state in the amount of 1.361 billion AMD. In particular, in 2008, a certain LLC, in order to start economic activity, applied to the Ministry of Urban Development and the Research Institute of Earthquake Resistant Construction with a proposal to sell a real estate company on Aharonyan Street in Yerevan with an area of 5840 sq.m. and a land plot of 3.5 hectares. Then the person and a group of responsible persons of the Ministry, who at that time held the position of the Minister of Urban Development, abusing their official position, in violation of the requirements of the law, began the alienation process without submitting an investment program. As a result, the real estate was sold for only 661.4 million drams instead of the estimated market price of 1.261 billion drams. As a result, the state suffered large-scale damage in the amount of 599.6 million drams. At the same time, within the framework of the same powers, the former Minister of Urban Development, with the assistance of employees of the same LLC, began the process of alienating real estate belonging to the Institute of Earthquake-resistant Construction with an area of 51.9 sq. m. in a building on Aghayan street, 31.8 sq. m. in a building on Leo street, and 43.3 sq. m. in a building on Avetisyan street. After that, on the basis of formal sales and purchase agreements, he re-registered this property to his family members, thereby causing damage to the state in the amount of 46.6 million drams. As part of the investigative measures, other crimes were also revealed. Based on the information received, a criminal case was initiated.
It should be noted that in 2014-2015 Narek Sargsyan was the Minister of Urban Development of Armenia, who in 2008 held the position of Deputy Minister of Urban Development of the Republic of Armenia. That year, this position was held by Vardan Vardanyan.