All illegal buildings in the shoreline zone of Lake Sevan will be dismantled by the end of the year, Armenia’s Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan announced during a meeting with participants of the School of Democracy and Security.
In a Q&A-format discussion, Vardapetyan outlined the Prosecutor’s Office’s work in defending state interests and returning unlawfully acquired property. She highlighted the outcomes of these efforts, including reclaimed assets, anti-corruption measures, and actions aimed at strengthening institutional integrity.
Referring to lands near Lake Sevan that had been unlawfully privatized or leased without legal basis, Vardapetyan said that in 2025, five formal requests were submitted to the Ministry of Environment and the Sevan National Park by the Prosecutor’s Office and the Gegharkunik regional prosecutor.
Based on investigations, criminal proceedings have been initiated following formal crime reports.
In one case, following a review conducted under state interest protection authority, a directive was issued to Sevan Municipality and the national park requiring demolition of illegal structures on 34 shoreline land plots below the absolute waterline. Demolition work is ongoing, and around ten plots are expected to be fully cleared by the end of the year.
Vardapetyan noted that 23 demolition decisions have already been issued based on administrative proceedings.
She added that the demolition process is being thoroughly documented, and a comprehensive report will soon be presented to the public.
Within the scope of defending state interests, Vardapetyan said the Prosecutor’s Office has returned assets worth 66.25 billion drams (around $174.5 million) to the state or local governments since January 1, 2025. This includes kindergartens, a cultural center, a stadium, natural monuments, public parks, land, and monetary assets.
