Former Head of Abovyan Recovers 261 Million AMD in Damages

As a result of evidentiary and other procedural actions carried out in a multi-episode criminal proceeding investigated by the Anti-Corruption Committee of the Republic of Armenia, it has been substantiated that Karapet Guloyan, who held the position of the head of the Abovyan community from 2008 to 2015, used his official position contrary to the interests of the service and alienated 65 land plots of common use within the administrative boundaries of the community, including squares, roads, parks, gardens, and areas with functional significance, through direct sale or fictitious auctions to various individuals.

As a result, citizens were deprived of the opportunity to use community-owned land plots. The preliminary investigation also substantiated that during the alienation of the said land plots, K.G. in a number of cases maliciously violated the procedure for conducting public auctions, and also, together with an official from the Abovyan municipality, committed official forgery. Specifically, he signed and confirmed numerous false protocols regarding the alienation of land plots through auction sales.

In addition, by prior agreement with persons affiliated with him, K.G. legalized particularly large amounts of property (land plots) obtained as a result of criminal activity, acquiring ownership rights over them through sham transactions. For committing the aforementioned crimes, the former head of the Abovyan community, K.G., was charged under Article 308, Part 2 (64 episodes), Article 308, Part 1, Article 190, Part 3, Points 1 and 3 (2 episodes), Article 314, Part 1 (49 episodes), and Article 196, Part 1 (8 episodes) of the former Criminal Code of the RA. The latter has accepted the charges against him and has fully compensated the 261 million AMD damage caused to the community.

As a combined alternative measure of restraint, bail of 40 million AMD and a ban on leaving the RA have been applied to K.G. The preliminary investigation regarding K.G. and 3 other individuals has been completed. The case materials, along with the indictment, have been handed over to the supervising prosecutor with a motion to confirm it and send it to court.