The government's agenda includes conducting an investigation into all properties with violations committed during the privatization process in the Republic of Armenia. And you see today, too, the properties being returned to the Republic of Armenia piece by piece. This was stated today in the National Assembly by Suren Tovmasyan, Chairman of the Cadastre Committee, in response to reporters’ question about whether the Armenian government was considering taking real estate from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

“In all cases during which, within the framework of which legislative violations were permitted, all such cases must be — and are being — subject to review, regardless of what property is involved. It’s another matter that we need to resolve legislative issues that were previously allowed, and then separate decisions will be made individually,” Tovmasyan said.

When asked what would happen to the property if it is taken from the Armenian Apostolic Church — whether it would be transferred to the State Property Management Committee — Suren Tovmasyan replied: “When you ask this question, is there any such case known to you moment? I cannot say; contact the authorized body, they will explain what will be done with Church property.”

Regarding whether there are many clergy or spiritual servants of the Armenian Apostolic Church who own property, particularly of illegal origin, Tovmasyan said: “I do not have information regarding the clergy. If they are citizens of the Republic of Armenia, their workplaces as such are not known to the Cadastre Committee. At this time, the Cadastre Committee has no information about workplaces.”