Hraparak: The Person Who ‘Testified’ Against Arsen Babayan Doesn’t Remember Anything

Hraparak newspaper reports: The charges brought against the former Deputy Head of the National Assembly Staff, Arsen Babayan, relate to the fact that the resignation application of Gagik Harutyunyan, received on March 2, 2018, was not immediately registered in the system by the then Head of the General Division of the National Assembly, Rouzanna Arzumanyan, at the end of the working day, but was done on the following Monday, March 5. The Special Investigative Service considered this three-day delay a violation and based on this, initially coerced testimony from Arzumanyan that she acted under Arsen Babayan’s instructions, then charged Babayan.

“Rouzanna Arzumanyan has gone into retirement months ago and is no longer working at the National Assembly. The question arises as to why exactly she testified against Arsen Babayan and not, for example, against Ara Saghatelyan, the Head of the National Assembly Staff. The fact is that the General Division operated not under the Head of the National Assembly Staff, but under the Deputy’s supervision. Moreover, our sources, who worked with Arzumanyan for many years, mentioned that the lady has always stood out for her ‘sluggishness’ and has often delayed important documents,” the article states.

The newspaper adds that despite having been seen at the Special Investigative Service and being confident that she testified against Arsen Babayan, helping in his arrest, she categorically denied reports of her cooperation with the current authorities in an interview with the newspaper.

The conversation with Arzumanyan is as follows:

-Ms. Arzumanyan, are you aware that a case has been initiated at the SIS, and in this context, your former superior Arsen Babayan was arrested the day before?

-No, I am not aware; I am retired and know nothing.

-While there are reports that you ‘assisted’ the law enforcement agencies, have you provided any explanation or testimony to the SIS?

-I have no information at all; I am retired, so I know nothing. I heard it, saw it on television, and learned it from the television.

-Did you not testify against Babayan, claiming that he forced you to change the date of Gagik Harutyunyan’s application, writing that you retroactively entered the General Division of the National Assembly?

-You are saying things; I insist that I have no information regarding that matter.

-Were you not questioned?

-No, no.

-Did you not provide an explanation regarding the fact I mentioned?

-I have no information about this case.

-But did you write an explanation?

-No.

-Did you tell anyone that, allegedly, Arsen Babayan forced you?

-No, no and no.

-Is it possible that someone relayed this information in your name?

-No, not at all; who would have written it? If you want, go ask them.

-It’s strange that you don’t remember if there were problems related to that application or not.

-I don’t remember; I have been retired for quite some time now.

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