Prime Minister Divides Society by Colors: Mihran Poghosyan

Stand up against personal vendettas! This headline summarizes the statement released by the office of former MP and former head of the Anti-Corruption Committee, Mihran Poghosyan. The statement particularly emphasizes:

“The recent developments in Armenia are a stark testimony to the ongoing governance crisis in the country. It is a well-known fact that any change that does not lead to visible positive outcomes only becomes another 'certificate of lost opportunities,' deepening the polarization of societal sentiments. The ongoing declarations concerning development and progress by the current authorities increasingly detach from reality.

Under the slogan of 'not repeating the mistakes of predecessors,' critical components of state institutions are being dismantled today, eroding the governance system that guaranteed a certain level of stability over the years. By demolishing everything, overturning both the good and the bad that existed, the promised new remains unrealized. Instead, the current authorities are solely driven by personal vendetta, leaving the reins of governance to run free.

The 'revolutionary changes' have yet to materialize meaningfully. More than just declarative statements, they illuminate new, serious problems. The team that has taken charge of governing the country stubbornly continues to be guided by cheap populism and personal revenge, transforming state thinking into a vendetta that leads to a dead end. Today, people in political and social life find themselves witnesses to unpredictable developments, where the euphoria of revolution gives way to stagnation, revealing the true qualities of both old and new faces.

Transitioning camps, those who have left the 'sinking ship' without shying away from anything, have found themselves on another vessel. In the new situation, the government operates under a new logic, defined by the divide between those accepted as 'insiders' and the rejected, delineating between black and white. The conflict that has arisen between them is transforming into an open battle. The spectacle of shows has reached the army.

Some military personnel, whimsically turned 'generals,' have become participants in various shows and fans of selfies instead of bearing the heavy burden entrusted to them and upholding the 'honor of the shoulder straps.' Against the backdrop of ongoing large-scale exercises by the adversary, the head of the RA Armed Forces, for instance, participates more in domestic festivities than in the ranks.

The disappointment with a team lacking a clear vision is steadily growing. Harsh assessments are starting to be voiced, and many who have been used as instruments in the destructive game of revenge and intolerance are leaving the team. Although late, they have, nonetheless, emerged. Notably, in a cruel twist of fate, many who loudly advocated justice are now either in the role of defendants or have been disgracefully removed from their entrusted positions.

Rather than confronting the myriad challenges facing the state, tensions continue to escalate, a process directly or indirectly aided by the current authorities. The current Prime Minister of Armenia, by failing to step outside the role of 'opponent' and not becoming a leader for all, is systematically dividing society by 'colors.' In reality, however, it is time to come to our senses—the consecutive mistakes could have irreparable consequences for the country. And the 'brainwashing' accompanied by fabricated cases and spectacles will eventually come to an end. No one should find themselves a target of political revenge, especially those who genuinely contribute to nation-building.

Once again, we emphasize: political vendetta is a path to self-destruction. Under these conditions, no country can have any developmental prospects. Study the history of the world, and you will convince yourself of this.”

It is worth reminding that Mihran Poghosyan is accused under section 1 of part 3 of Article 179 and part 2 of Article 308 of the Criminal Code. According to the charges, he is alleged to have embezzled property of significant value through the misuse of his official position and abused his official powers leading to severe consequences. Poghosyan was discovered and arrested on April 19 in Petrozavodsk but has not been extradited to Armenia by Russia. The Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia has urged the Prosecutor General's Office of Russia to provide specific information regarding the reasons for rejecting Poghosyan's extradition.