Yerevan traders clash with oligarch over fairground redevelopment

Traders at Yerevan’s “Russia” fairground have taken to the streets in protest against plans to evict them from the site.

The fairground, owned by the family of pro-government MP Khachatur Sukiasyan, is set to be redeveloped into a shopping and entertainment centre, including a food court, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

Dozens of traders, who rent the pavilions, say the move will leave them without an income. “We have been working here for 30 years and have built our own clientele… Even if we move elsewhere, it will be very difficult to attract customers again. Do we have no rights in our own country?” one protester told local media.

Representatives of the owner insisted that the family is entitled to manage the property as they see fit, giving traders one month to vacate the site.

The owners have offered alternative pavilions at the “Yerevan” fairground, also owned by the Sukiasyan family, but traders rejected the proposal, citing the time and effort required to re-establish their businesses and clientele.

Protesters have begun collecting signatures demanding that they be allowed to return to their pavilions after renovations and be granted a year to sell already imported goods. A meeting with fairground management has been proposed to discuss the matter.

By Aghakazim Guliyev