Armenian Investigative Committee head accused of intimidating businessmen

In a parliamentary session addressing crime in Armenia, Argishti Kyaramyan, chairman of the Investigative Committee, found himself embroiled in a fierce verbal clash with Hovik Aghazaryan, a member of the ruling Civil Contract parliamentary faction. 

Aghazaryan accused Kyaramyan of pressuring businessmen, insinuating that his own son, involved in the import and sale of cars, was among the targeted individuals, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media.

Aghazaryan alleged that the Investigative Committee misuses its authority to undermine aspiring entrepreneurs, claiming that such tactics are employed to "destroy" their ambitions. The tension escalated further when Aghazaryan criticized Kyaramyan's aggressive demeanor towards audience members, to which the Investigative Committee chairman retorted, "There is no one in this world who dares to drop a retort to my remarks."

Kyaramyan went on to assert that he had been approached twice regarding Aghazaryan's son, implying potential corruption in the dealings. The exchange quickly devolved into a heated argument laced with informal slang, prompting intervention from other colleagues to defuse the situation.

By Vafa Guliyeva