The Prosecutor’s Office alleges that Vahagn Vermishyan, the former Chairman of the Urban Development Committee, actively participated in the management of “Moss Group” LLC. They claim he leveraged his official position to provide advice, instructions, information, and resources through an intermediary, aiming to enhance the company’s reputation in the entrepreneurial sphere.

Prosecutors assert that Vermishyan exploited his influence over other organizations in the same field, stemming from his role as Committee Chairman. They allege he personally, and through his subordinates, facilitated meetings between “Moss Group” representatives and Yerevan Municipality officials, effectively promoting the company’s viewpoints and professional opinions.

The prosecution further contends that Vermishyan, in an effort to grant privileges to a private enterprise, directly oversaw the drafting process of construction projects initiated by Bagrat Khachatryan, a client of “Moss Group” LLC.

According to the indictment, Vermishyan’s actions constitute an abuse of power, resulting in approximately 1.5 million drams in damages to the state. Moreover, they claim his behavior tarnished the reputation of the state body and disrupted the Urban Development Committee’s normal operations.

In stark contrast, Vermishyan’s defense vehemently denies these allegations. His lawyer, Alexander Kochubayev, maintains that his client had no involvement with “Moss Group” LLC or its management. Kochubayev insists Vermishyan neither provided any preferential treatment nor advised any developer to seek the services of Natalia Chernikova for design work.

Kochubayev emphatically states, “While my client could have engaged in entrepreneurial activities, he chose not to do so.”

It’s worth noting that the court of first instance found Vahagn Vermishyan guilty on this count, among others, sentencing him to a total of 8 years in prison.

Vermishyan continues to plead not guilty to all charges and is actively seeking acquittal.

For a more detailed account, please refer to the accompanying video report.