Pashinyan confirms "non-sistematic" corruption in Armenia

Corruption cases are being considered in Armenia, and appointees of the Prime Minister appear to be involved in them, but there is no systemic corruption in the country, said Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at a press conference on March 14.

“There are more cases of corruption. Already in 2019, members of our team were arrested [the charge was brought against the head of the Control Service, David Sanasaryan]. But there is no systemic corruption. Otherwise, it would mean that I have a share in this corruption, which means that such cases simply would not be initiated,” Pashinyan added, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Armenian media.

He emphasized the need to respect the presumption of innocence, but at the same time noted that the current judicial reform cannot allow cases to be initiated without justification.

When asked about corruption in the current Yerevan mayor’s office and patronage of Vice Mayor Tigran Avinyan [who is to be nominated as a mayoral candidate this year], Pashinyan noted that the current leadership of the city, elected from the Civil Contract party, is implementing a program drawn up in 2017, when Pashinyan ran for the mayoral post.