Armenia’s 44-day war investigation findings to be made public, speaker says

The report from the commission investigating the 44-day war will not be discussed at a plenary session of the Armenian Parliament, Speaker Alen Simonyan confirmed on October 1, according to Armenian media, referenced by Caliber.Az.

Speaking to journalists, Simonyan explained that all legally prescribed deadlines for submitting the commission’s findings have passed, and according to the National Assembly’s regulations, the document cannot be added to the agenda. Furthermore, he said the report has not been formally submitted to him.

“First of all, from a legal standpoint, let Mr. Kocharyan officially submit it. From a legal perspective, there are functions that have not yet been fulfilled,” Simonyan said.

He noted that he sought opinions and clarifications from the commission on state-legal issues, the parliamentary legal department, and the Secretariat of the National Assembly, in addition to relying on his own legal expertise. Simonyan said that all consulted parties reached the same conclusion: “There are no legal grounds to include it on the plenary session agenda.”

While acknowledging that Andranik Kocharyan, head of the 44-Day War Investigation Commission, may comment on the situation as he sees fit, Simonyan stressed that he would not base his decisions on Kocharyan’s statements. He also emphasised that the authorities do not intend to conceal the report.

“The report will be published. Will it be on a plenary session, in a hearings format, or will opposition deputies access it through the First Department as those with security clearance—one way or another, publication will happen. But I repeat, I see no legal grounds for a plenary session,” Simonyan said.

The Speaker added that authorities are still working on determining the most transparent way to present the report to the public. Asked whether there is tension between himself and Kocharyan, Simonyan replied negatively, noting that they simply hold different opinions and interpretations of legal matters.

By Tamilla Hasanova