Armenian PM says former president Kocharyan “should be in prison”

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that former president Robert Kocharyan “should be in prison” over the March 1 case (2008), arguing that the investigation has been fully solved.

During an election campaign event on May 14, while on leave from his post, he said the Armenian law enforcement system must bring the ringleader, Robert Kocharyan, to legal responsibility, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

“In short, Robert Kocharyan should be in prison,” he noted.

According to him, until that happens, the authorities will not be able to convince the public that Armenia has a fair justice system.

“The biggest accusation directed at me, which is very difficult for me to answer, is this: People ask why Robert Kocharyan is still free,” Pashinyan added.

Pashinyan currently heads the proportional candidate list of the ruling Civil Contract party.

He said he tries to distance himself as much as possible from issues that concern him personally, because “the temptation is great,” and added that he wants to avoid the impression that he came to power to settle personal matters.

“I want issues to be resolved at the institutional level. This is a public matter, starting with the oligarchic groups, how they were formed, how military uniforms were distributed,” the PM concluded.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov