Pre-trial investigation completed into criminal case over sale of Black Fortress during Serzh Sargsyan’s tenure as defence minister

The pre-trial investigation into the criminal case concerning the sale of the Black Fortress (Sev Berd) in Gyumri during the tenure of former Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sargsyan has been completed.

According to Armenia’s Investigative Committee, the investigation obtained prima facie evidence indicating that, on May 11, 2005, Sargsyan sold the Black Fortress-a 626.45-square-metre immovable monument of history and culture of national significance-together with the 0.7-hectare plot of land designated for its use, to a private individual through a direct sale under a real estate purchase agreement for 22.9515 million drams.

The Committee alleges that the transaction was not based on, or provided for by, decisions of the Armenian government. According to the Investigative Committee, these actions caused significant harm to the state’s lawful interests through negligence, resulting in grave consequences.

Specifically, the state lost ownership of a cultural and historical monument of national significance, and the site was subsequently not included in the appendices to the Armenian government’s March 15, 2007 Decision No. 385-N approving the list of state-owned historical and cultural monuments not subject to privatisation. 

During the investigation, the supervising prosecutor initiated public criminal prosecution against Sargsyan under Article 441(2)(5) of Armenia’s Criminal Code, which concerns abuse or excess of official authority by a public official resulting, through negligence, in other grave consequences. 

The criminal case has been forwarded to the supervising prosecutor together with the indictment. 

Note: A person charged with a criminal offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code and by a final court judgment.