Armenia probes ex-leaders over suspect sale of defence ministry land

Armenia’s former President Robert Kocharyan has been called to testify as a witness in a criminal case involving his successor, Serzh Sargsyan, over the sale of land belonging to the Defence Ministry.

Prosecutor Gorik Hovakimyan revealed Kocharyan’s status during a court hearing, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media.

The case centres on the 2005 privatisation of land plots near the Yerablur Military Pantheon. The deal was concluded when Kocharyan was serving as president and Sargsyan was the defence minister. The land in question was part of the Defence Ministry’s holdings at the time.

Prosecutors said further witnesses are expected to be summoned, including Armenia’s ambassador to Russia, Gurgen Arsenyan—who is alleged to have ties to the transaction—and Vachagan Kazaryan, Sargsyan’s former head of security.

By Aghakazim Guliyev