In 68 plots of land below the absolute level of Lake Sevan, 201 buildings have been dismantled.
09-07-2026 16:06 Armenia Human Rights
As a result of the implementation of the prosecutor's orders, from December 2025 to July 1, 2026, illegal constructions of 201 buildings and structures, both primary and non-primary, have been dismantled (demolished) in 68 land plots along the shores of Lake Sevan that are below the absolute level. The "Sevan National Park" SNCO has terminated (suspended) 2 contracts. The dismantling works will continue after the end of the beach season:
Let us remind you that on December 11, 2025, the Prosecutor's Office announced that the dismantling of illegally constructed buildings and structures in the areas adjacent to Lake Sevan, in land plots below the absolute level, had begun. The Prosecutor's Office also informed that the demolition of illegal constructions would continue in 2026:
Based on the prosecutor's orders, among others, the following have been dismantled:
The walls and ramp located in the section of the villa belonging to former Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan that is below the absolute level (the Prosecutor's Office has filed a lawsuit regarding the villa in the competent court),
The villa illegally constructed by the son of former National Assembly Speaker Samvel Nikoyan,
The cottage illegally constructed by the brother of former Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyann,
The cottage illegally constructed by Karen Rafik Grigoryan, the son of former Gegharkunik Governor Rafik Grigoryan,
The walls, concrete retaining walls, ramp, and other structures located in the section of the villa in Sevan illegally constructed by former Chief of Police Vladimir Gasparyan (the Prosecutor's Office is demanding the confiscation of this villa from Vladimir Gasparyan and related persons through a lawsuit for the confiscation of illegally obtained property):
Let us remind you that in addition to the aforementioned orders, the Prosecutor's Office has submitted lawsuits to the court that, among others, concern:
The illegally constructed villa in Sevan by former Chief of Police Vladimir Gasparyan (address: 1st Street 97, Draxitik community, Gegharkunik region),
The administrative complex of the "Harsnakar" hotel (address: 50 Yerevan Highway, Sevan city), the cottages of the "Harsnakar" hotel (address: 48/6 Yerevan Highway, Sevan city),
The illegally constructed villa in Sevan by former President of the Football Federation of Armenia, former National Assembly member Ruben Hayrapetyan (address: 38 3rd Street, Recreation Zone, Sevan city),
The illegally constructed villa in Sevan by former Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan (address: 71 1st Street, Draxitik community, Gegharkunik region),
The illegally constructed villa in Sevan by Arman Hakobjanian, Chairman of the Board of Directors of "Kapavor" LLC (address: 88 1st Street, Draxitik community, Gegharkunik region).
As a result of the studies conducted by the Department for the Protection of State Interests of the Prosecutor General's Office and the Gegharkunik Regional Prosecutor's Office within the framework of the authority to file lawsuits for the protection of state interests, reports of crimes have been sent to the investigative bodies, and criminal proceedings have been initiated:
On May 12, July 6, and 7, 2026, the Prosecutor's Office also informed that the Department for the Protection of State Interests of the Prosecutor General's Office had sent orders to the director of the "Sevan National Park" SNCO (hereinafter referred to as the SNCO) and the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Environment to take measures to terminate the lease or construction rights of the land plots adjacent to Lake Sevan between the SNCO and Nazik Amiryan, between the SNCO and Varsham Gharibyan, between the SNCO and Arayik Hayrapetyan, between the SNCO and "Rafik and Gor Gasparyans" LLC, between the SNCO and "Sedrakyan Husik and Partners" LLC, and between the SNCO and Khosrov Avetisyan:
In response to citizens' concerns about "why you are dismantling the building if it can be given to socially vulnerable families," we inform that the areas below 1905.0 meters absolute level of Lake Sevan are subject to flooding and are part of the coastal protection zone. The government decision No. 1563-N of December 18, 2008, established that due to the rise in the level of Lake Sevan, the areas subject to flooding and inundation defined by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia include the area from the water boundary of the "Sevan" National Park to 1905.0 meters absolute level:
Thus, the proposals to "transfer the dismantled structures for other purposes" have no legal basis, since:
They are at risk of flooding and may end up underwater,
No ownership rights can be registered over them; it is prohibited by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia,
Their existence harms the ecosystem of Lake Sevan, the cleanliness of the lake, and the quality of the water:
* This text was automatically translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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