'Corruption suspicions persist': Opposition councilor challenges Yerevan mayor

Allegations of corruption resurfaced during a Yerevan City Council meeting on Tuesday as an opposition member challenged Mayor Tigran Avinyan over municipal spending and procurement practices tied to a planned recreational development.

The dispute followed an announcement by Finance Department head Kristine Avetisyan that 172.6 million drams would be allocated for the construction of a multifunctional leisure zone. The site is located about 5.5 kilometers from the beginning of the Hrazdan Gorge, adjacent to Athens Street in the Arabkir administrative district.

Avetisyan said the project would include sports facilities, a café area, an outdoor cinema space, and improvements to transport and pedestrian infrastructure.

Avinyan stated that the project was implemented in cooperation with the Asian Development Bank, indicating international involvement.

Pedro Zarokian, a member of the opposition National Progress faction, criticized the mayor for a pattern of awarding contracts under “urgent” procedures without competitive bidding. He cited a $2.5 million allocation last year to a company named LilianArm, alleging systemic irregularities.

“You repeatedly carry out projects under emergency justification,” Zarokian said. “This appears to be systemic. There have also been concerns in the past regarding the Armenian National Interests Fund and pandemic-related expenditures. Corruption suspicions have not disappeared.”

He went on to ask whether Avinyan would be prepared to face potential criminal accountability if political circumstances changed after upcoming elections.

Avinyan dismissed the accusations as “empty theories”, denying any wrongdoing.

Zarokian responded skeptically, questioning how previous controversies, including those involving the Armenian National Interests Fund, could be considered baseless.