Former Cadastre Chief Interrogated

The former head of the Real Estate Cadastre, Martin Sargsyan, was recently interrogated in connection with the land surrounding the Meghri Free Economic Zone. This was reported today by ArmDaily.am.

It has been confirmed that he currently holds the status of a witness. Within the framework of the case, charges have been brought against the former head of the Karchivan community, who allegedly violated the requirements of the Law on Public Auctions of the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Government’s decision No. 286 dated April 12, 2001. This was purportedly done in order to sell the land at a higher price for personal gain without organizing an auction, by preparing false official documents regarding the conduct and results of the process, based on which land parcels of 0.44672 ha, 0.29718 ha, and 0.63508 ha were transferred to his mother-in-law, who represented his interests.

During a government meeting on March 7, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also addressed the situation surrounding these lands. He stated, “We had preliminary information that high-ranking officials had bought the surrounding lands at ridiculous prices, being aware that a free economic zone would be established there. And when I visited the ‘Meghri’ Free Economic Zone last year, it was recorded that, in fact, there were no state-owned lands there.”