A court in Yerevan is hearing a new case against Armenian ex-President Serzh Sargsyan on allegations related to the sale of the Black Fortress in Gyumri.

Sargsyan, who served as Armenia’s third president, is accused of illegally selling the historic fortress. The investigation into the case lasted six years, according to Sputnik Armenia.

The judge has ruled that Sargsyan’s presence at the hearings is mandatory.

According to the case materials, the Sev Berd fortress was transferred to the balance of Armenia’s Ministry of Defense by a government decision dated June 6, 1995. Ten years later, the property was sold to a private individual for 22.9515 million Armenian drams, when Sargsyan was serving as defense minister.

The fortress covers 626.45 square meters and stands on a 0.7-hectare plot. Authorities have classified Sev Berd as a historical and cultural monument of national significance.

The allegations are being examined by the court, and the case has not established Sargsyan’s guilt by a final ruling.