Ararat Province Prosecutor investigates land auction corruption

The Ararat Province Prosecutor's Office has filed petitions with the Anti-Corruption Court to invalidate land auctions in the Masis and Jermuk communities. The legal action seeks to nullify auctions for plots measuring 0.57 hectares and 750 square meters, which took place in August 2007 and June 2009, respectively.

An investigation into the protection of state and community interests revealed significant violations regarding the acquisition of approximately 95.5 hectares of land by Kh. A., a deputy head of the Masis community, and persons connected to him. The prosecutor's office alleges that various officials, including the deputy head and his father—a former high-ranking official in the State Revenue Committee—misused their authority to transfer community property through sham auctions.

Furthermore, the investigation suggests that Kh. A. engaged in money laundering to conceal the allegedly criminal origin of the acquired properties. The case also involves a separate incident where a public organization president allegedly misused authority to provide a portion of land near the Kanaker Hydroelectric Power Plant to a former State Revenue Committee official.