Pashinyan Preparing Criminal Case Against Mayor Marutyan

Recently, there has been frequent talk about the strained relationships between Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutyan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, with reports that they do not communicate. This tension is said to be one reason why Marutyan has spent the year on extended leave, avoiding going to work. However, just two days ago, Marutyan returned to City Hall after another vacation and even held a procedural meeting.

David Khajakyan, the head of the Yerevan Council's 'Lus' faction, reported that during a dispatch meeting, Marutyan made a remark regarding the tense relations between him and Pashinyan, stating that “those who talk should be thrown into the zoo – the donkey cage.” Yerevan Council member Tehmine Vardanyan commented on this subject yesterday on the set of 'Hraparak', stating that these conversations have been circulating for a long time, and in various environments, Marutyan has expressed himself quite harshly against Pashinyan. Furthermore, the relationships between Marutyan and members of the council's 'My Step' faction are also strained, and when martial law is lifted, it is possible that the faction may express a lack of confidence in Marutyan and replace him with Armen Kotolyan.

According to Vardanyan, what is happening today within the Yerevan Council's ruling faction against Marutyan is indeed a personal initiative and provocation by Pashinyan. Vardanyan also disclosed new information regarding a deal for the purchase of Russian 'Gazelle' brand municipal microbuses by the city government. “There is talk, particularly concerning the recent purchase, that these hundred microbuses, which they describe, are in reality true 'Gazelles' – both in terms of the number of seats and the brand. In the procurement of these 'Gazelles', there appears to be serious criminal activity, and there are rumors that there is around a 50% kickback from which Marutyan has benefited,” said Tehmine Vardanyan. This same discussion was noted in relation to the well-known 'Kamaz' purchases, where the law enforcement agencies did not wish to find any signs of corruption.

According to Vardanyan, at that time, Marutyan and Pashinyan's relationships were not strained, and no case was initiated, whereas now Pashinyan, having learned about the 'Gazelle' deal, is reportedly angry. “A criminal case is even being prepared, and in the event that Marutyan does not leave, they intend to use this criminal case to intimidate him,” stated a member of the opposition faction in the council.

This information is reported by the 'Hraparak' newspaper.