News - Legal Proceedings Initiated Due to Misappropriation of Protected Land

In a significant legal move, the Prosecutor's Office has initiated action to reclaim a piece of land within a protected area that was allegedly unlawfully transferred to a private owner during Aram Harutyunyan's tenure as the Minister of Environment. This contentious transaction has sparked legal proceedings to rectify what is seen as a breach of national governance over crucial environmental territory. The matter, now under review by the Anti-Corruption Court, specifically involves a 0.8-hectare plot of land in the picturesque Dilijan region. Authorities seek to annul the land's auction and sale contract to ensure its rightful return to the Dilijan community, thus preserving its environmental integrity and public utility. The controversy underscores the broader issue of land misappropriation and privatization in Armenia's conservation areas, where regulations strictly limit private ownership to protect these vital ecological spaces. Harutyunyan faces legal constraints to prevent any further alteration of the land's status, reflecting a broader commitment to environmental preservation against privatization pressures.