‘Jhoghovurd’. Two Years After the Scandalous Wiretap: What Calls Were Made Abroad

‘Jhoghovurd’ newspaper reports: “It has been two years since the wiretapping of former National Security Service Director Arthur Vanetsyan and Special Investigative Service Head Sasun Khachatryan was released. If it has not been possible to uncover the wiretap incident during these two years, at least the public has no information regarding any disclosures. What should we expect from law enforcement agencies after this?

Let us recall that two years ago, on September 11, 2018, a recording of a scandalous phone conversation between Vanetsyan and Khachatryan appeared on the internet. They discussed the imprisonment of former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, as well as the criminal cases against CSTO Secretary General Yuri Khachaturov and former Defense Minister Mikayel Harutyunyan during their 8-minute phone call.

So, what do we have two years after the wiretap incident? On June 10, 2020, Heghineh Grigoryan, the head of the Special Investigative Service, announced that the wiretap case had been revealed. For commentary, ‘Jhoghovurd’ newspaper turned to the spokesperson of the Investigative Committee, Rima Yeghanyan, who stated: “We have nothing to add to the previously given comments by the Investigative Committee regarding this criminal case. At this point, I can say that the preliminary investigation is ongoing.”

You may recall that on June 9, 2019, during a conversation with journalists in the National Assembly, the President of the Investigative Committee, Hayk Grigoryan, announced that inquiries had been sent to certain countries and they were awaiting responses. Now, significant details have emerged regarding this case for ‘Jhoghovurd’ newspaper. According to our information, inquiries have been sent to four countries, but there has still been no response from any of them.

Moreover, according to the information we received, the Armenian Investigative Committee has called the law enforcement agencies of these countries and asked them to respond to the inquiry, but they have not responded. Even other law enforcement agencies have “interfered in the matter,” but again, there has been no movement whatsoever. No responses have been received regarding our inquiries from any country.”

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