Investigative Committee explains reasons for sealing part of "Arindj  Mall" shopping center pavilions

ArmInfo.A 3.5-hectare land plot located in the village of Arindj, Abovyan community, overlaps with the area occupied by a 110 kV high-voltage power  transmission line, as well as the land plot designated for its protection zone, as reported by the Investigative Committee of Armenia, citing the results of an expert assessment conducted from June 5, 2025, to June 10, 2026.

Additionally, the Investigative Committee noted that the site lies  within the protection zone of the 1520 mm gauge Yerevan-Abovyan  railway line.

According to the expert evaluation, the alienation process for this  land plot was carried out without considering the requirements of  Article 60 of the Land Code of the Republic of Armenia in effect at  that time. The expert stated that the unauthorized structures located  on the site were erected within the protection zones of high-voltage  power lines and within the safety zone of the Yerevan-Abovyan railway  line.

"Therefore, given that some of the unauthorized structures, the  parking lot, and some of the adjacent retail pavilions are located  directly under high-voltage power lines and their continued operation  poses a threat to the life and health of citizens, they were sealed  by the body conducting the investigation for security purposes," the  Investigative Committee stated.

It should be noted that a protest was held today outside the Arinj  Mall shopping center, which belongs to the arrested leader of the  Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP), Gagik Tsarukyan. Law enforcement  officers sealed off some of the shopping center's pavilions.

As one of the protesters told reporters, they were told the pavilions  were sealed allegedly due to the presence of high-voltage power lines  (HVPLs) near the shopping center. Those gathered pointed out that  these HVPLs have been there for a long time, and the issue is only  being raised now. Due to this measure, the protesters noted, they  have been left without income and, moreover, are at risk of losing  their jobs.