A decision has been made to arrest the former mayor of Gyumri, Samvel Balasanyan
In 2012, Samvel Balasanyan, the former mayor of Gyumri, allegedly acquired land adjacent to the Sev Berd (Black Fortress) cultural-historical site through illegal means. He has been charged with abuse of official authority and two counts of large-scale money laundering. Charges have also been brought against four other individuals: Samvel Balasanyan’s son, Khachatur Balasanyan, Gyumri’s deputy mayor Suren Janoyan, Sirakan Mkoyan, and former deputy mayor Ruben Sanoyan.
According to a decision made in 2006, state-owned and specially protected areas are not subject to privatization. However, Samvel Balasanyan managed to acquire land from the Sev Berd Fortress, which was on that list. The land had been granted to the Ministry of Defense for use without compensation. Through Deputy Mayor Suren Janoyan, Samvel Balasanyan acquired the land, and at the time, Deputy Mayor Ruben Sanoyan prepared a false certificate stating that the land was not state-owned. A year later, Janoyan formally sold the land to Khachatur Balasanyan.
In 2019, as a result of a sham auction, another part of the Sev Berd land was subdivided and became the property of Sirakan Mkoyan. Two months later, this land was also sold in the same manner to Khachatur Balasanyan.
A few days ago, Khachatur Balasanyan, Suren Janoyan, and Sirakan Mkoyan were arrested. By court decision, Khachatur Balasanyan was placed under house arrest with bail set at 70 million drams, while Suren Janoyan and Sirakan Mkoyan were also placed under house arrest with bail set at 20 million drams each. Ruben Sanoyan has been restricted from leaving the country.
A decision has also been made to arrest Samvel Balasanyan and present him to the investigative authorities. He served as mayor of Gyumri for around 10 years (2012-2022). He is currently in the United States.