Pashinyan Proposes Criminal Case Based on Mikayel Minasyan's Statement

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, has proposed to initiate a criminal case based on the statement of former Armenian Ambassador to the Vatican, Mikayel Minasyan, regarding the transfer of seven districts adjacent to Artsakh for $5 billion. Pashinyan made this remark during an interview with Azatutyun.

The former ambassador of Armenia to the Vatican disclosed information, claiming that in October 2018, the former head of the National Security Service (NSS) met with a representative of Azerbaijan's special services in Dubai and received an envelope containing an offer of $5 billion in exchange for the seven districts adjacent to Artsakh.

“I publicly announced regarding this connection at the time. Everyone became aware that there was an operational connection, and this agreement was reached following meetings in Dushanbe. Therefore, there has been no secret whatsoever,” Pashinyan stated. “Secondly, I propose that based on this statement, a criminal case be opened, and that the former official, who has joined the opposition, come forth and give testimony — in other words, why testimony? Let him provide public clarifications.”

Addressing the fact that former NSS director Arthur Vanetsyan confirmed Minasyan's words, Pashinyan indicated that if Vanetsyan was aware of treason during his tenure as NSS director and did not initiate a criminal case or attempt to arrest the traitor, then he himself is a traitor. “Then he is a traitor, or at least a co-traitor. Or suppose he was the head of a body subordinate to the Prime Minister — did he not report the crime to the Special Investigative Service or the Prosecutor's Office? Did he not resign at that moment? Did he not hold a press conference and say, ‘Wow, treason is occurring’? Isn’t that something to say?” Pashinyan added.

“I agree, let’s have a clear, open, transparent investigation and see who is a traitor and who is not. Or they say that they sold Artsakh and the lands for $5 billion. Investigate it. I am ready; by the way, I have previously made this offer for everyone — to sign a document, to give authorization for them to go and check my and my family's property around the world. Let them check whether the material situation of my family during my tenure as Prime Minister has improved in any way,” the Prime Minister emphasized.