A large business has been added to the list of companies under forced downtime linked to detained businessman Gagik Tsarukyan. On Monday, law enforcement officials went to 'Arinj Mall' and sealed off dozens of booths.
The booth renters and employees have not worked for three days. They were resting on Monday and found their booths sealed when they arrived on Tuesday morning.
“We did not receive any notification; we consider ourselves the tenants of this space. I believe we should have received some form of notification that, for example, starting Monday, your stores would be sealed,” said one of the employees.
Employees of several large companies owned by BHK leader Gagik Tsarukyan regularly organize protests and ask the government to allow them to return to work, but so far only the cement factory in Ararat has reopened, which is now managed by the executive authority.
Until this past Monday, the operators of 'Arinj Mall' were working as usual, and their operations had not been suspended. Now they have also taken to the streets with the same demands.
“Our request is that our stores be opened, we want to return to our normal work, get rid of these shocks, and work normally. We fulfill our tax obligations; why should we stand before the fact?” noted one of the protesters.
At the level of discussions, it was heard that the reason might be that the row of booths is located under high-voltage power lines and there are safety issues. At the end of the workday, the Investigative Committee confirmed this information. They stated that their expert determined that the buildings and parking lot are located under high-voltage power lines and that further operation poses a danger to the lives and health of citizens, and for safety reasons they were closed.
Entrepreneurs and employees are asking why this has only become a problem now and why the booths were closed when the power poles, power lines, and booths have been in such proximity for years in plain sight. They point to a nearby area where similar construction is taking place next to a power pole.
The inspection body for urban planning and fire safety stated that they have no relation to this decision. After the tragic explosion in 'Surmalu', they also conducted inspections at 'Arinj Mall' about two years ago, found violations, suspended operations, after which they were eliminated, and the shopping center reopened.
Meanwhile, everyday issues arise: people have left their passports and car keys inside; what should they do?
While management, tenants, and employees are asking for the booths to be opened, citizens who came to shop at 'Arinj Mall' are also dissatisfied. Instead of the usual hustle and bustle, they saw closed doors.
Gagik Tsarukyan's team reports that around 10,000 people are in forced downtime due to the actions of law enforcement. In response to a request from 'Azatutyun', the Investigative Committee stated last week that they would be conducting inventories in the sealed companies, but did not clarify on what grounds and how private property would be inventoried.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had directly threatened to imprison and confiscate the property of Gagik Tsarukyan during the pre-election period. The BHK leader ended up in prison after the elections on charges of fraud and money laundering. At least two companies owned by him are no longer managed by the Tsarukyans.
