Armenia will take even shoes obtained illegally, PM says

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said they will recover everything stolen by Gagik Khachatryan and Robert Kocharyan, even the shoes they obtained illegally.

Speaking at a briefing, Pashinyan noted that he is not interfering in the affairs of the judiciary, but he bears political responsibility, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

“I am the people-elected Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, and I declare: everything that was stolen will be returned, down to the last grain, piece by piece!” he stressed.

In his words, there is no longer any need for Gagik Khachatryan to pretend; “he will not simply go, he will run to check whether his pension has been transferred to him or not! The same applies to Robert Kocharyan.”

Pashinyan stated that he would not allow even 25% of illegally acquired property to be retained.

“And by the way, you know that the system for confiscating illegally acquired property contains a provision under which, in the event of a settlement agreement, 25% remains with them while 75% is returned. So, I have instructed that this provision be removed. There will be no more 25%,” he remarked.

According to him, Armenia gave them this opportunity, but they did not take advantage of it over eight years, and now 100% must be returned.

“Legislative changes will be introduced soon, and the possibility of reaching a settlement agreement will be eliminated. They will return everything that was stolen; we will take even the shoes they obtained illegally! We are waiting! And let us recall that Robert Kocharyan moved to Armenia wearing worn-out trainers and a Turkish jumper with reindeer on it,” the PM emphasised.

Pashinyan also addressed what he described as serious problems within Armenia’s judicial system, particularly in cases involving sexual violence against minors.

“I have raised a very serious issue concerning the judicial system. I see that cases of sexual violence against young children in the Republic of Armenia are not being investigated properly. This is probably because such cases involve children who do not have strong social support. And if the state does not support them in such a situation, who will?” Pashinyan asked.

He questioned whether judicial independence was effectively being used to protect alleged offenders at the expense of victims.

“In other words, is judicial independence on the side of the perpetrator and against the raped child?” Pashinyan said.

The Armenian prime minister also claimed that the presumption of innocence was being used by a number of prominent figures.

“In this country, the presumption of innocence is enjoyed by Gagik Khachatryan, Robert Kocharyan, Serzh Sargsyan, Gagik Tsarukyan and others,” Pashinyan outlined.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov