YEREVAN — Seventy paintings seized from former Chairman of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee and former Finance Minister Gagik Khachatryan have been designated as material evidence in a criminal investigation and transferred to the National Gallery of Armenia for safekeeping.

The transfer places the artworks in the gallery’s custody for preservation and storage. It does not, in itself, indicate that ownership of the paintings has been transferred to the state or that they have been permanently confiscated.

An exhibition has opened at the National Gallery featuring paintings, graphic works, and decorative and applied art by Armenian and international artists from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as contemporary artists.

The artworks on display were placed in the gallery’s custody by Armenian law enforcement authorities.

Armenia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan, Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan, Chairman of the Investigative Committee Artur Poghosyan, and Deputy Minister Alfred Kocharyan visited the National Gallery to view the exhibition and examine the artworks.

The visit took place at the invitation of Investigative Committee Chairman Artur Poghosyan.