Preliminary investigation of the criminal proceeding initiated on alienating the Sev Berd Fortress in the city of Gyumri by the RA former Minister of Defense, was completed in the Department for Investigation of General and Election-Related Crimes of General Department for Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee. 

In the course of the preliminary investigation of the criminal proceeding factual data were obtained on the allegation that on May 11, 2005, under a real estate purchase and sale agreement, S.S., the RA former Minister of Defense sold, through a direct sale, the Sev Berd Fortress in the city of Gyumri - an immovable monument of history and culture of national significance with a total area of 626.45 square meters, together with the 0.7-hectare land plot designated for its use, to a private individual for 22 million 951 thousand 500 AMD. The sale was not based on, nor provided for by, any decisions of the RA Government. 

As a result of the described actions, substantial damage was caused to the lawful interests of the state, causing serious consequences through negligence. Specifically, the state lost its ownership rights over a historical and cultural asset of national significance, and the property was not included in the annexes to the RA Government’s Decision N 385-N, dated March 15, 2007, approving the State Register of Immovable Monuments of History and Culture that are considered state property and are not subject to alienation.

In the course of the preliminary investigation, by the supervising prosecutor’s decision, public criminal prosecution was initiated against S.S. according to the Point 5 of the Part 2 of the Article 441 of RA Criminal Code. 

The criminal proceeding with the bill of indictment was referred to the supervising prosecutor.