Following rumors that Gagik Tsarukyan has suspended construction of a 33-meter statue of Jesus Christ atop Mt. Hatis, some thirty kilometers northeast of Yerevan, Hetq contacted the business mogul’s charitable foundation and various government agencies for confirmation.

Tsarukyan announced his plan last July, causing a wave of pro and anti-public opinion. The Armenian government gave a preliminary green-light for the project and PM Nikol Pashinyan was quoted as saying   the massive statute would be a boon for tourism.

In July, Hetq wrote that Tsarukyan’s foundation had purchased large plots of land on Mt. Hatis from the local Akunk community at rock bottom prices.

Akunk Mayor Hunan Rubenyan replied that the foundation only applied for a design permit to build a water line on Mount Hatis, which it received in July 2022.

Armenian Deputy Minister of Environment Tigran Gabrielyan replied that the foundation never submitted a construction application to the ministry and that issued no such permit.

The foundation hasn’t responded to our written inquiry.

 On July 10, 2022, a groundbreaking ceremony for the statue-complex was held atop Mt Hatis today. Armenian Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan and Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization Zurab Pololikashvili attended the event.

“A few years following this historic day, the statue of the Savior will rise in Armenia as a symbol of unity, hope and light,” Gagik Tsarukyan said in a Facebook post at the time.

The businessman, responding to public concerns regarding his plan, days later said he'll wait to receive all necessary permits before proceeding with any construction.

Others Buy Mt. Hatis Land

Hetq has since revealed that in the summer of 2022, plots of land on Mt. Hatis were acquired by Vahe Ohanyan, a director of the Transgaz LLC local branch. The company is a subsidiary of GazProm Armenia.

Ohanyan has purchased several Akunk community plots of land over the years.