Armenia completes investigation into sale of Sev Berd fortress

Armenian investigators have completed a preliminary investigation into the alleged unlawful sale of the historic Sev Berd fortress in Gyumri by a former defence minister, the Investigative Committee said.

According to the investigation, the former minister, identified by the authorities as S.S., sold the fortress and an adjoining 0.7-hectare plot of land to a private individual for 22.95 million drams ($58,000) in 2005, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

The 626.45-square-metre Sev Berd fortress is classified as a nationally significant historical and cultural monument. Investigators said the sale was carried out through a direct real estate transaction and was not based on or provided for by decisions of the Armenian government.

Authorities said the transaction caused significant damage to the lawful interests of the state, including the loss of state ownership of a nationally significant cultural asset. The fortress was also not included in a 2007 government list of historic and cultural monuments considered state property and not subject to alienation.

A supervising prosecutor has initiated public criminal proceedings against S.S. under a provision of Armenia’s Criminal Code concerning abuse or exceeding official powers that negligently causes serious consequences.

The case has been sent to the supervising prosecutor with an indictment.

By Sabina Mammadli