Former Gyumri mayor accused of money laundering and illegal alienation of real estate

YEREVAN, December 18. /ARKA/. Former mayor of Armenia's second largest city of Gyumri Vardan Ghukasyan is accused of illegally alienating more than 20 real estate properties in the community worth about AMD 35.69 million, the press service of the Investigative Committee of Armenia reported.

Investigators found that Ghukasyan, with the assistance of a number of officials, initiated alienation of 24 real estate objects, including plots of public parks, with a total cadastral value (at the time of alienation) of about AMD 35.7 million in 2006-2011.

In collusion with a group of persons, including his brother and son, Vardan Ghukasyan legalized 4 of the illegally acquired real estate objects with a cadastral value of about AMD 16.1 million. Two more relatives of Ghukasyan were involved in the fraud.

The ex-mayor of Gyumri is accused of official forgery, abuse of office (26 episodes), legalization of illegally obtained income (4 episodes). His brother, son and two relatives are accused of money laundering.

With regard to another five former employees of the community administration, the criminal case was terminated due to the expiration of the statute of limitations (without an acquittal).

The preliminary investigation has been completed and the case file with the indictment has been handed over to the prosecutor. The illegally alienated real estate was seized. ($1 - AMD 405.3).