After examining the constitutionality of the law on confiscation of illegally obtained property for more than 3 years, the Constitutional Court published a decision on April 16. Iravaban.net discussed this decision, its potential impact, and the future course of cases with lawyers Armen Melkumyan and Inga Sarafyan. They are also representatives of the former Chairman of the RA Urban Development Committee, Vahagn Vermishyan, in court.

Armen Melkumyan told us in our conversation that several important points were clarified by this decision. The lawyer noted that this decision will have a significant impact on civil cases with his participation: “The case related to the allegedly illegally obtained property belonging to Vahagn Vermishyan and his family, in our assessment, should be dismissed because the Constitutional Court established that the issue of illegal property must exclusively be considered in relation to property acquired by an official after assuming office or must be connected to a crime.”

Vahagn Vermishyan’s other representative, lawyer Inga Sarafyan, noted that the properties mentioned in the lawsuit were acquired before Vermishyan took the given position: “The Constitutional Court decision provides sufficient grounds for the prosecutor’s office to take appropriate measures at the upcoming hearing to withdraw their claims.”

Lawyer Armen Melkumyan added that Vermishyan has been considered an official since 2019: “Vahagn Vermishyan assumed the position of Chairman of the Urban Development Committee in 2019, while in the lawsuit submitted to the court today by the prosecutor’s office, they are demanding 4 pieces of property that were acquired in 2008-2009, before Mr. Vermishyan took office.

We expect that at the next hearing, which will take place on May 26, the prosecutor’s office should finally submit a motion to withdraw the lawsuit.”

Details in the video.