Robert Kocharyan, Serzh Sargsyan, offshore companies and a number of other questions: A. Vanetsyan's answers summarized

The Director of the National Security Service, Arthur Vanetsyan, met with journalists today in Tsaghkadzor during a seminar titled "Observations, Emphases, Suggestions for the Media Community," where he answered a number of questions.

- The National Security Service Director is confident that in the near future, individuals who tapped phone conversations between himself, acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and Head of the Investigative Committee Sasun Khachatryan will be identified and held accountable. The conversations have been edited, which will be proven by expertise. I have never said anything in my conversations that I would be ashamed of. On the contrary, the wiretaps shed light on everything that is happening. In a conversation with ArmLur.am's correspondent, Arthur Vanetsyan refused to comment on the view that the scandalous wiretapping could be the handiwork of the former authorities.

- Arthur Vanetsyan addressed the decision of the defenders of second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR): "Any defense team, group of lawyers or lawyer can apply to any body to receive answers or decisions on this or that question. I do not want to comment or express an opinion. The ECHR is the body that will provide the answer to this question; I am perhaps one of the most interested parties that the defenders apply to that court as soon as possible and get answers to their pressing questions."

- "The Congress Hotel was purchased with illegally obtained funds, and a criminal case has been initiated on money laundering grounds regarding this matter. Mr. Sedrak Kocharyan has been invited to the investigation department of the National Security Service and questioned as a witness. Necessary measures have been taken in the case, and precise information will be provided soon. There are no accused persons yet. My statement that the acquisition of the "Congress" hotel was obtained through corrupt channels was a misunderstanding."

- The criminal case initiated against Alexander Sargsyan is on money laundering grounds and is currently under investigation.

- The son of Alexander Sargsyan, brother of the third President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, Narek Sargsyan, who was discovered in Prague on December 6 with a passport under the name of Franklin Gonzalez, a citizen of Guatemala, will stand trial as all circumstances have emerged, and the discovered drawings have been sent for examination, confirming that they belong to Sarian's brush. The issue of Narek Sargsyan's extradition will be resolved soon.

- The criminal case against former MP Arakel Movsisyan, known as Shmays, has been terminated by the NSS. According to Arthur Vanetsyan, when a person voluntarily hands over weapons and ammunition, the criminal case can be terminated under certain conditions.

- The church and state are separated, and we have no jurisdiction to interfere in church affairs. We can only ensure the safety of the church and the ecclesiastical community. Any violence is condemnable. I am confident that the church has enough strength and wisdom to solve this problem.

- The Russian serviceman of the 102nd military base who brutally beat a 57-year-old man who was cleaning the streets in Gyumri on December 3 should be punished by the Armenian court. The murderer has no nationality, no affiliation, and belongs to any profession; the murderer remains a murderer and must be punished.

- In response to a question about whether the NSS is also diligently investigating the businesses of Arthur Vanetsyan's relatives, including the offshore business of Zemfira Vanetsyan, he said: "Zemfira Vanetsyan is my uncle's wife and has not lived in Armenia since 1989; she lives with my uncle in Geneva. I do not have a business, my brother Karen Vanetsyan is a large businessman who also was not an Armenian citizen; he acquired citizenship this year after the revolution in Armenia. He also does not conduct business activities in Armenia and has not been here since 1989. Karen and Armen Vanetsyan are large businessmen operating in Ukraine, Iraq, Iran, Serbia, and investigative journalists can investigate their activities. An offshore company is not a crime; it is a business tool used by many businessmen around the world."

- "There are always movements in power structures. I find it very natural that the former commander of the Defense Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh, Levon Mnatsakanyan, is moving on to another job. I see nothing extraordinary in this. The borders of Artsakh and Armenia have been defended as they were defended," Arthur Vanetsyan stated, responding to journalists' observations that this might be related to Sasun Mikayelyan's statement and Levon Mnatsakanyan's response, which he did not agree with.