Milano's Case Will Shock European Court of Human Rights: Alumyan

Lawyers in charge of the case with Milano shop on Abovyan 4 in downtown Yerevan are planning to appeal the case at the European Court of Human Rights in the near future, Hayk Alumyan, a lawyer involved in the case, said at a press conference today, adding that alienation of the property is not maintained with such barbaric methods in any democratic country.

"I am sure that once again we will see the European Court of Human Rights reach a verdict due to which the state budget of the Republic of Armenia will be held responsible for someone's economic benefits, to say nothing of the state rating. European Court of Human Rights delivers verdicts against many countries, but those verdicts vary. The Court will be shocked by this case when they see that there are such countries where things like this happen," said Alumyan.

Milano was founded in 1995. Two years ago the territory that the two-floor building occupies was considered as being "of public priority interest," and a building is allegedly said to be built on the site. Therefore, the territory is subject to alienation. The proprietor Hovhannes Ghukasyan insists that he has not been paid the amount due as compensation.

According to Alumyan the whole process of alienation has been conducted in violation of the law.

"No contract was signed with these people [meaning proprietor], but they were alienated. I do not know what kind of benefits emerged here that they were subjected to such barbaric treatment and the law was ignored," asked Alumyan, adding that Ghukasyan's property was estimated 207 million drams, while it should have been twice as much.

Recalling that the Judicial Acts Compulsory Service of the Republic of Armenia has already alienated 70% of Milano's property, Alumyan said that the aim of JACS is to expel Ghukasyan and his family from Armenia.