Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has filed a lawsuit with the Anti-Corruption Court, seeking to invalidate auctions through which 74.1 hectares of land transferred to the Ararat community as pastureland in 2009 were sold to Araratcement CJSC, and to apply the legal consequences of nullification.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, its review uncovered apparent indications of a criminal offense.
“Within the framework of a study conducted to protect state and community interests, in addition to previously identified violations, it was established that former head of the Ararat community A.B., with the assistance of an employee of Araratcement CJSC, used his official position against the interests of the service and violated a number of legislative requirements.
Specifically, on September 22, 2009, through formally conducted auctions, he transferred to Araratcement CJSC land plots with a total area of 74.1 hectares that had been assigned to the community as pastureland. While exercising powers related to the protection of state interests and identifying apparent signs of a criminal offense, the prosecutor submitted a formal crime report on May 27, 2026, to the Anti-Corruption Committee for consideration of opening criminal proceedings.
On the same day, the Prosecutor’s Office filed a claim with the Anti-Corruption Court against the Ararat community, Araratcement CJSC, and company employee A.A., seeking to invalidate the auctions held on September 22, 2009, concerning the 74.1-hectare land plots and to apply the consequences of invalidity,” the statement said.
The Prosecutor’s Office added that reviews are continuing to determine the legality of the acquisition of other assets owned by Araratcement CJSC.
On May 5, the Prosecutor General’s Office sent a letter to the Armenian government proposing that it examine the violations identified within the company and consider appropriate administrative measures to address their consequences, including the possible appointment of a temporary administrator.
During a campaign event in Shnogh, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that “very soon, the backbone of Prosperous Armenia leader Gagik Tsarukyan’s business empire—the Ararat cement plant—will become state property and belong to the Republic of Armenia.” The Prosecutor’s Office later reported that its review of Araratcement’s privatization process had uncovered facts containing apparent signs of criminal conduct.
