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Sedrak Baghdasaryan: They had better say they are alienating our homes for Robert Kkocharyan (video)
Laws are not violated by ordinary citizens, they are violated by the state, says Sedrak Baghdasaryan, Chairman of the Victims of State Needs NGO, who was deprived of his property in Yerevan about ten years ago. Mr Baghdasaryan has been seeking justice ever since. Speaking at the discussion on “Violations Regarding Eminent Domain” held at the Media Centre NGO, he said courts have not yet explained to him the meaning of the phrase 'eminent domain.'
"They had better say they are alienating our homes for Robert Kkocharyan ," Mr Baghdasaryan said.
In 2007, residents of buildings at 23, 25 Teryan Str. and 37 Lalayants Str. were evicted from their homes after the government declared their property ‘eminent domain for public needs.’ Vardan Geravetyan, a member of the Our City Initiative, says the areas were given to Local Development Company headed by Samvel Mayrapetyan. The latter is known to have close ties with former president Robert Kocahryan. It is still unknown what the company plans to build in the area. Speaking at the discussion, Sedrak Baghdasaryan said the residents of the alienated buildings are not going to leave their homes. “Every day, we receive letters from the Judicial Acts Compulsory Enforcement Service, saying that we are to vacate the flats. The compensation offered by the company is ridiculous, even offensive. They are driving you out of your home in your country,” said resident Flora Udumyan.
