Developer clashes with Yerevan authorities over fence demolition, alleges unlawful action

Tensions flared on Thursday between a Persian-Armenian property developer and municipal authorities in Yerevan, as demolition crews backed by law enforcement attempted to dismantle a fence on disputed land, prompting allegations of illegality from the developer and his legal counsel.

The developer, Oshin Mirzakhan Saki, sought to block the demolition at his property on Ashtarak Highway, arguing that the structure is tied to land he owns and is essential to an ongoing development project. Speaking at the scene, he cited legal protections he believes entitle him to challenge the action and warned of potential multimillion-dollar losses if the fence is removed and adjacent land is sold to another party.

Speaking to Panorama.am, his attorney, Lusine Virabyan, said the Yerevan Municipality is acting outside the bounds of the law, including by preparing an unlawful auction of nearby community-owned land.

According to Virabyan, Saki acquired the property several years ago. The fence in question, built no later than 2010, partially extends onto adjacent municipal land and has not been formally legalized. Nonetheless, she argued that Armenian law grants her client a preemptive right to purchase the occupied portion.

Virabyan said she submitted a formal request to the Municipality on April 15, asking that the land, including the section occupied by the fence, be sold to Saki under his preferential purchase rights. She noted that the Municipality has not responded to the application or indicated whether it is under review.

Despite the pending request, municipal officials presented Saki with an April 22 decision signed by Mayor Tigran Avinyan ordering the demolition of the fence. Virabyan contends the move violates due process, emphasizing that administrative decisions are subject to a two-month appeal period.

“They delivered the decision and immediately brought in demolition equipment,” she said. “Our client is prepared to purchase the land at the same price offered to others. If he declines, only then should it be made available to third parties.”

Saki maintains that the land is critical to a residential development project in which he has already invested approximately $2 million, with plans to invest an additional $2 million. He warned that the demolition and potential sale of adjacent land could undermine the viability of the entire project, including access to the property.

Virabyan also questioned the timing of the demolition, noting that the Municipality had recently informed her office that no land auctions were planned in the area.

At the scene, police officers supported municipal representatives and instructed Saki not to interfere with the demolition, advising him to challenge the decision through legal channels. Saki, however, insisted the process itself is unlawful and continued to protest the demolition.

“I am exercising my rights,” he told Panorama, adding that the decision grants him two months to file an appeal.

Saki has also appealed to the prime minister’s office, where officials reportedly expressed interest in his development plans but referred the matter back to the Municipality.

Panorama could not reach out to the Yerevan Municipality for comment.