I Have Not Been Under Any Interpol Notice Worldwide: Gevorg Kostanyan

The former Prosecutor General of Armenia, Gevorg Kostanyan, learned today about the existence of Interpol documents published by MP Tahuhi Tovmasyan.

In an interview with “Pasticinfo,” Kostanyan stated that he only had information that Russian law enforcement agencies had rejected his search request, arguing that a political persecution was being carried out against him, and he had published the relevant document. However, he was unaware that Interpol had also not issued a search for him. “It was very important for me and very pleasant. If I had known, I would have published it myself, just like I did with the Russian rejection,” Kostanyan emphasized, noting that the document is quite telling in that Interpol initially refused to declare a search for him.

Kostanyan reported that according to procedures, there is a legal commission at Interpol that requires all grounds and justifications from the relevant country before assessing the legal side of declaring a search for a person, since Interpol's statutes stipulate that if there are political elements that are unfounded, then searches are not carried out. “Based on this, the Interpol legal committee and even the Interpol General Secretariat have refused to declare any search and have even restricted my right to freedom. Thus, I have not been under any Interpol notice at any time worldwide,” Kostanyan noted.

Previously, it was announced that Tahuhi Tovmasyan published controversial documents regarding the rejection of the demand by Armenian law enforcement to declare an Interpol search for Gevorg Kostanyan, finding that political persecution was being conducted and urged International Interpol units to remove data related to Kostanyan.

In our conversation, Kostanyan expressed confidence that similar documents might exist for other individuals involved in the 'March 1' case that have yet to surface. “There is absolutely no evidence regarding the ‘March 1’ case; it is an imaginary scenario and merely a narrative, and all the accusations are narratives that lack any basis. In this respect, I am convinced that the charges in the ‘March 1’ case are politically motivated and without any evidence; it’s just that the documents about them have yet to become public property. Moreover, since Interpol rejected the declaration of a search for me back in April 2020, but only today we learn that such a document existed over a year ago, it means that many other documents have yet to be published, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist,” Kostanyan stated.

As for whether this document is a basis for holding the head of the Special Investigation Service and the Prosecutor General of Armenia accountable, Kostanyan pointed out that the Interpol document is an assessment given by one of the most reputable legal bodies internationally, which serves as a preamble for the prosecutors (referring to Prosecutor General Arthur Davtyan and SIS head Sasun Khachatryan) and others to charge. “That is, a global legal body has fixed that criminal prosecution has been carried out against this individual, unlawfully, without evidence, and is of a political nature; that already constitutes a judgment,” Kostanyan remarked.

Regarding the removal of the search against him within Armenia, Kostanyan noted that there are already numerous legal processes underway, and he has repeatedly raised the issue of rescinding the search against him, particularly stating that if they want him to return to Armenia, they must drop the search against him. He stated that searches are declared in order to locate a person and bring them back to Armenia; the Russian Prosecutor's Office has rejected the search, stating that Armenia is conducting political persecution, and therefore Gevorg Kostanyan will not be searched for, while the rejection by Interpol means that Armenia can never bring him back unless he comes voluntarily. “I have repeatedly said, ‘Cancel the search, I will come to Armenia; then you can arrest me if you want, or not, I don’t care about that.’ Our law enforcement agencies consistently refuse this for incomprehensible reasons. Now I have appealed this in court,” Kostanyan emphasized, adding that anyone capable of thought can note that the authorities do not want him to return to Armenia, as it has already been two years since they announced they wanted to find and return him, yet he has been giving interviews and living and working in Moscow, and the whole world knows where he resides and what he is engaged in, but they claim they continue to search for him.

“In this situation, one says, ‘Guys, I am coming; you don’t need to look for me; I will come myself,’ but they are doing everything to ensure I do not come—there can be no other conclusion,” he stated. Kostanyan recalled his proposal made a year ago to hold a public consultation regarding the case of March 1, in which he would also participate, to discuss the case publicly, and if any evidence against him were presented, he would accept guilt, whereas that proposal was rejected. “They refused; they did that on purpose because they understand that if I come, all their lies will come to light, and I will substantiate why they have been conducting the investigation in this direction and have taken no measures to genuinely reveal the real 'March 1.' Not only have they taken no measures, but they have deliberately acted to cover up the entire March 1 case. Based on these considerations, they simply avoid it, doing everything to ensure I do not come to Armenia,” Kostanyan stated.