Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan has confirmed that the Multi Wellness gym building owned by businessman Gagik Tsarukyan has been transferred to the Yerevan Municipality, Factor.am reported.

“Yes, I confirm it. The building was constructed on municipal land that is inalienable under Article 60, and it was built in violation of the applicable rules. Accordingly, under the terms of the agreement, one of the parties—the Yerevan Municipality—terminated the contract, and the building was transferred in its entirety to the municipality. There will certainly be further announcements on this matter,” Avinyan said.

According to the mayor, the violations had been known for about a year.

“The violations were identified, if I'm not mistaken, about a year ago. We held various discussions with them, but no solution was found. After those efforts failed to produce a solution, final decisions were made,” he said.

Asked whether the decision was linked to the recent developments surrounding Gagik Tsarukyan, including National Security Service actions and criminal cases, Avinyan said it was not.

“No, it is not related. This particular process began much earlier, and it would have taken place regardless of any other developments,” he said.

The mayor added that the building is expected to continue operating as a sports center while retaining a social component.

“We will certainly return to this issue. There are people training in that building, and I believe their rights should be protected. I think it will continue to function as a training center, taking certain social considerations into account,” Avinyan said.

Asked whether the facility could become a municipally operated paid gym, he replied: “It will become a municipal sports facility with certain social components.”

Commenting on other buildings in the Circular Park, including facilities owned by Khachatur Sukiasyan, and why similar measures had not been taken against them, Avinyan said the identity of the owners was irrelevant.

“I believe that over the past four years we have demonstrated that, in matters like these, a person's name is of no importance to us. It does not matter who owns such properties. Whether we are demolishing an illegal structure or carrying out improvements—whether it is a small garage or a large building—we honestly do not look at who the owners are,” he said.

As part of illicit asset forfeiture proceedings, the Anti-Corruption Court, acting on a motion by the Prosecutor General's Office, has ordered that Araratcement CJSC be placed under the management and safekeeping of the Republic of Armenia. The lawsuit also seeks the confiscation of the company's shares, along with 75 real estate properties, the market value of 10 additional properties, 42 vehicles, interests in 38 legal entities—including Multi Group Concern LLC, Multi Avtotrans LLC and Onira Club LLC—and 105.865 billion drams allegedly linked to illicit assets.