Serzh Sargsyan’s Close Circle Targeted by Law Enforcement Bodies
On June 23, Armenia’s State Revenue Committee announced that a company affiliated with ex-President Serzh Sargsyan’s brother Levon Sargsyan has been involved in large-scale tax evasion schemes. The company, which has building a multifunctional building in the center of Yerevan evaded taxes for more than 300 million Armenian Drams (625,000 USD).
Searches took place in the offices and homes of the company’s founders and shareholders. On June 29, the State Revenue Committee informed that the company has returned 800 million Armenian drams (1,660,000 USD) to the state budget.
Later on the same day, the Committee reported that documents showing deposits of 6.8 million USD into one of Armenia’s banks were found in Levon Sargsyan’s residence.
More than 1.1 million USD was found in the home and restaurant of former president’s long-time head of the security Vachagan Ghazaryan. Ghazaryan was arrested on June 25, when he exited the bank with 120,000 USD and 436 million drams (900,000 USD) in cash. He is accused of illegal accumulation of wealth and false declaration of assets.
On the same day, Serzh Sargsyan’s brother, Alexandr Sargsyan and his bodyguards were arrested on suspicion of illegal weapon possession. Several hours later Sargsyan and his bodyguards were released.
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High-Profile Arrests Continue in Armenia
Yerevan Mayor to Resign?
During the past week, rumors spread about the possible resignation of Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan. Yerevan City Council member from YELK faction Davit Khajakyan announced that Margaryan had already written his resignation request. However, the mayor’s spokesman denied the rumor.
One of the leaders of the former ruling Republican party, Margaryan has been the mayor of Armenia’s capital for seven years. The press has repeatedly reported on his large accumulation of wealth during his tenure as city mayor.
Mayor Margaryan was not present at the Yerevan City Council session on June 26. His office announced that it was due to health issues.
Environmental Activists Shut Down Operations at Amulsar Gold Mine
For the past 8 days environmental activists in Armenia have closed the road leading to Amulsar Gold Mine. This has resulted in the shut down of operations at the mine. On Friday, mine workers staged their own road closure, demanding that activists allow them to continue their work.
For over a week, environmentalists and numerous residents of adjacent Jermuk and Gndevaz communities have been demanding a stop to the exploitation of the Amulsar Gold Mine in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor region. Environmentalists say that mine exploitation poses a serious threat to the waters and rivers that originate from the area, some of which flow into Lake Sevan. The residents of the area blocked the road leading to the mine, demanding immediate termination of operations.
The Amulsar mine is exploited by Lydian Armenia. It’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Reddit’s Alexis Ohanian: “I’ve Never Been More Proud to Be Armenian”
Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and husband of Serena Williams, met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during his visit to Armenia to discuss startup communities worldwide and how to make the most of the IT surge in Armenia.
“I have never been more proud to be an Armenian,” Ohanian told the prime minister, referring to Armenia’s recent Velvet Revolution.
Musician, activist, System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian was also in Armenia this week.
At the meeting with the Minister of Culture Lilit Makunts, Tankian discussed a number of projects and proposals. He told about his intention to produce a film about the Velvet Revolution.
First Woman Mayor Appointed in Armenia
Echmiadzin, home to the Mother See of the Armenian Apostolic Church, has become the first city in the Republic of Armenia to have a woman mayor. Diana Gasparyan was appointed as the acting mayor of Echmiadzin following the resignation of Karen Grigoryan on June 17.
Gasparyan says she plans to conduct an audit to reveal possible cases of financial abuse in the municipality. According to reports, for years, companies affiliated with the former mayor’s family and friends have had a monopoly in the city’s markets, hindering competitive prices.
Karen Grigoryan resigned after the National Security Service conducted searches at his father, Republican Deputy of the National Assembly General Manvel Grigoryan’s properties, where they found large quantities of food, cars, and weapons stolen from the army.
According to residents of Etchmiadzin, for years the Grigoryan family has kept their grip on the city’s political and economic power by ruling in an atmosphere of fear.
The former presidentail palace to be returned to president
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on June 28 that the former Presidential Palace, known by its address as Baghramyan 26, will be returned to the country’s president. The building that had served as presidential residence since Armenia’s independence was changed into a residence for prime minister in early 2018, as former president Serzh Sargsyan was going to retain power as prime minister after his second term in office.
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