Tensions Rise in Abovyan as Mayor Faces Pressure

The newspaper "168 Hours" reports: "The early elections for the mayor of Abovyan will take place on June 9. The situation in Abovyan is becoming increasingly tense by the day.

Authorities, including representatives of the ruling party, the "Civil Contract" party, are taking measures against the current mayor and mayoral candidate, Vahagn Gevorgyan, through Kotayk governor Romanos Petrosyan. Media outlets have repeatedly highlighted the ongoing situation and the large-scale inspections being conducted by law enforcement agencies in the Abovyan community. In this regard, we addressed a question to Vahagn Gevorgyan.

Mr. Gevorgyan, we have information that law enforcement agencies have been conducting large-scale inspections in the Abovyan community for several months, and there are even criminal cases initiated. What can you say about this? What violations are being discussed?

Yes, indeed, for several months now, various law enforcement bodies, including the Prosecutor's Office, the police, and investigative agencies, have been carrying out extensive measures in the municipal office based on reports that are clearly directed from a center.

They are checking everything, scrutinizing thoroughly; to be honest, I don’t know what they are looking for. They have inspected a budget exceeding 6 billion, social programs, and based on reports from our esteemed regional governor, have overturned documents related to auctions, as well as the packages prepared by auditors sent from the governor's office under the guise of legal and professional oversight. Let them look as much as they want; I can only say that my conscience is clear, my hands are clean, and I have unshakeable faith that everything will turn out well.

What do you attribute all this to?

I believe all of this is related to the pre-election processes. Our esteemed opponents have decided to initiate such processes to overshadow the work we've accomplished so far and to create a false impression of lawlessness and ineffective administration before the election campaign begins. I think they will not succeed; the residents of our community clearly see who is doing what, and on June 9, they will express their decisive will through the elections.

For more details, see today’s issue of the newspaper.