Transparency International demands to check Chief Architect of Yerevan for abuse of powers

Law enforcement bodies of Armenia are preparing to launch inquiry into activities of Narek Sarkisyan, the Chief Architect of Yerevan, after the statement of the anti-corruption centre of the Transparency International about his possible misuse of powers.

The statement submitted by the Transparency International to the Prosecutor's Office says that the design and construction works in central Yerevan were performed by the Company "Narek Sarkisyan's Architectural Studio", owned by the Chief Architect, although by the law the Chief Architect of the city has no right to engage in entrepreneurial activities.

According to the Transparency International, the above Company designed the hotel complex, being built next to the monument of national value – the building of the Armenian Society for Cultural Cooperation with Foreign Countries (known as AOKS). The construction of the hotel put the AOKS building and the surrounding territory under threat of destruction, the "Arminfo" reports.

Besides, the anti-corruption centre has revealed that in 2008-2011, when Sarkisyan was Deputy Minister of Urban Development, he also combined his work with his business, the "Epress.am" reports.

So far, there are no comments of Narek Sarkisyan or his representatives concerning the statement of the Transparency International.