This Process Aims to Deal Another Blow to the Reputation of the Armed Forces and Military Leadership of Armenia - Vigen Sargsyan

Former Armenian Minister of Defense Vigen Sargsyan writes on his Facebook page: “I just learned from the media that I am to be involved as a suspect in a criminal case being investigated by the Investigative Committee. This relates to the alleged violation of the procedure for the allocation of housing distributed to military personnel by the Ministry of Defense of Armenia.

I believe that spreading such information through the media before officially notifying the involved person is a gross violation of at least the rules of morality and decency. Investigative bodies are apparently undertaking steps that pursue evident political objectives without giving me the opportunity to express my position as a witness. This was overly predictable and expected.

It is clear that the main goal of this process is to deal yet another blow to the reputation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia and the military leadership. I have publicly informed several times about my whereabouts; my email, official page, and mobile phone number are active, which I believe are also known to the law enforcement authorities of the 'new' Armenia.

Since I am currently in the United States for educational purposes, interrupting my program at this stage would lead to losing the opportunity to complete it, I have authorized my lawyer to contact the heads of the Special Investigative Service to represent me in the ongoing proceedings.

Thank you to my friends and relatives for their concerns. Both the form and content of this process raise numerous questions. I am outraged, but also calm, because those involved in the history of housing distribution and this particular ongoing investigation, including those who received and did not receive housing, are well aware that the process was conducted in compliance with the law's requirements, with clear principles and criteria. The entire procedure and oversight were managed by the relevant commission, which prioritized the principle of precedence for servicemen who have undergone combat paths.

P.S. The issues of providing housing for servicemen, as well as for disabled veterans and families of the fallen, have always been a priority for the department I led, and we have taken steps known to the public in this direction. In a few months, we resolved the housing issues of the homeless families of first-group disabled veterans and fallen servicemen, as well as introduced a preferential loan program for servicemen.

It is an honor!”