The preliminary investigation into the criminal case initiated over the alienation of the Sev Berd fortress in the city of Gyumri by former RA Minister of Defense S.S. has been completed in the Department for the Investigation of General Crimes and Electoral Crimes of the Main Investigative Department for Especially Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee. This was reported by the RA Investigative Committee.

During the preliminary investigation of the criminal case, evidence was obtained indicating that on May 11, 2005, former RA Minister of Defense S.S., through a real estate purchase-sale agreement, via direct sale, alienated to a private individual — for 22,951,500 AMD — the Sev Berd fortress in the city of Gyumri, a historical and cultural monument of national significance with an area of 626.45 sq. m., along with the 0.7-hectare plot of land designated for its use. This was done in a manner that did not stem from and was not provided for by decisions of the RA Government.

As a result of the described actions, significant damage was caused to the state's lawful interests, negligently causing serious consequences — namely, the state lost its ownership right over a historical-cultural asset of national significance, and it was not included in the annexes to RA Government Decision No. 385-N of March 15, 2007, "On Approving the State List of Historical and Cultural Immovable Monuments Considered State Property and Not Subject to Alienation."

During the preliminary investigation, by decision of the supervising prosecutor, public criminal prosecution was initiated against S.S. under Part 2, Point 5 of Article 441 of the Criminal Code (abuse of official powers or influence associated therewith, or exceeding one's powers by an official, which negligently caused other serious consequences).

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

Note: A person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until their guilt is proven in the manner established by the Criminal Procedure Code through a court verdict that has entered into legal force.