RA Prosecutor`s Office reports new violations in privatization of Araratcement plant

ArmInfo. On May 20, 2026, the Prosecutor General's Office reported a number of violations uncovered during the privatization of the Araratcement plant.

The supervisory authority's report noted that new violations were uncovered during the investigation.  Specifically, the former head of the Ararat community, A.B., with the assistance of an employee of Araratcement CJSC, abused his official position against the interests of the community, violating several legal requirements. Specifically, on September 22, 2009, he sold 74.1 hectares of land, previously transferred to the community, to Araratcement CJSC through an official auction. Having discovered elements of a crime, the prosecutor submitted a criminal report on May 27, 2026, which was sent to the Anti-Corruption Committee for a decision on initiating a criminal case.

On the same day, the prosecutor's office filed a lawsuit in the Anti-Corruption Court against the Ararat community, AraratCement CJSC, and company employee A.A., demanding that the auctions for the sale of 74.1 hectares of land held on September 22, 2009, be declared invalid and that appropriate penalties be imposed.

An investigation is currently underway to determine the legality of the acquisition of other property belonging to AraratCement CJSC.

As a reminder, on May 5, 2026, the Prosecutor General's Office sent a letter to the government proposing to discuss the violations at the company and the advisability of implementing proper management to address their consequences, including, for example, the appointment of an interim manager.

On May 20, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced in the Lori region that the Ararat Cement Plant (Araratcement CJSC), owned by Gagik Tsarukyan's Multi Group concern, would soon be nationalized. The government has already received a corresponding letter from the Prosecutor General's Office, which identified violations during the privatization process. The prime minister described the plant as the "business backbone" of the Prosperous Armenia Party leader and stated that after nationalization, the company would become the property of the Republic of Armenia, and its employees would be "freed" from Tsarukyan's orders.

Meanwhile, Tsarukyan himself stated that he would use all legal instruments to protect his own interests, including those concerning the Araratcement Plant.