One of the topics of the agenda at today’s Government session was the decision to declare invalid Government Decision No. 479-A of April 6, 2006.

It should be recalled that, within the scope of its authority to protect state (community) interests, the Prosecutor’s Office of Ararat region had examined the documents concerning the allocation of approximately 5,330 ha of land plots located outside the administrative boundaries of the communities of Ararat region to “Animal World” LLC for gratuitous use.

The examination revealed that the former Head of Ararat region, abusing his official position and in violation of the requirements of legal acts, had granted for gratuitous use for a period of 49 years approximately 5,330 ha of state-owned environmental lands to “Animal World” LLC — a company established for profit and owned by a member of the Republican Party of Armenia, the driver of the individual who served as the Minister of Territorial Administration in 2005–2007 and the former Head of Ararat Province.

The cadastral value of the 5,330-hectare land plot, close to its market value, is AMD 60,553,218,000, equivalent to USD 158,263,000.

Based on the results of the examination:

• To take measures to conduct state registration of the unilateral termination of the contract signed on October 11, 2006 between "Animal World" LLC and the former Head of Ararat region. On the basis of this motion, on September 19, 2025, the state registration of the termination of the right of gratuitous use of the mentioned land plots was carried out.
• On September 22, 2025, the Prosecutor submitted a report on crime to the Anti-Corruption Committee. Based on the report, criminal proceedings were initiated at the Anti-Corruption Committee (under point 2 of part 2 of Article 441 of the Criminal Code (abuse of authority or exceeding official powers by an official, which caused property damage in particularly large scale) (3 counts)).

As a result of the examinations conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office, it was also revealed that on July 1, 2006, the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia, in implementation of Government Decision No. 479-A, dated April 6, 2006, concluded a gratuitous use agreement for a period of 49 years over 4,118 ha of the Jermuk Forest and 3,620 ha of the Yeghegis Forest in Vayots Dzor region. The agreement was concluded without notarization and was not submitted for state registration within the prescribed period, and therefore is void.

Thus, of the lands specified in Government Decision No. 479-A of April 6, 2006:

• 5,330 ha are no longer allocated to the Company for gratuitous use;
• The agreements concerning 4,118 ha and 3,620 ha is void.

On this basis, Government Decision No. 479-A has been declared invalid.