The Director of Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine Responds to Pashinyan's Accusations

The General Director of Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine, Parag Johannes Bhat, has issued a statement emphasizing that the company has always refrained from and has not intervened in political processes, nor has it hindered the expression of its employees’ political and civic views, explicitly ruling out any manifestations of discrimination on that basis.

“One of our company's priorities is to ensure the uninterrupted operation of production activities, to protect the life, health, and social well-being of employees, and to faithfully fulfill the commitments undertaken to the state and our partners,” he said. “Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine operates and defends its interests exclusively within the framework of laws and legality.”

Responding to the unfounded accusations directed at the Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine and its employees by the Acting Prime Minister during his visit to the communities of Kajaran and Kapan in the Syunik region of Armenia on June 15, 2021, the company regards these remarks and threats of retribution as gross violations of the Constitution by a top state official, as well as an obstruction to the exercise of economic freedom of ZCMC, a threat of deprivation of property, and interference with private economic activities, including allusions to physical retribution, calls for vigilantism, and incitement to labor disruptions among employees, etc.

We assert once again that we will not fall for provocations and will not be drawn into political debates and processes. It is unacceptable to attribute the blame to the ZCMC for various political developments, especially when this is premeditated and systematically executed, creating an artificial “traffic” around the company.

At the same time, we take this opportunity to urge all forces participating in the forthcoming electoral campaign (including the authorities) to refrain from the temptation to use us for their political purposes, to spread misinformation, and to avoid utilizing political processes for the personal and group economic interests of certain individuals and circles.

“ZCMC and its numerous workforce, who create value through daily hard work, will not tolerate attempts to infringe upon their rights and freedoms as guaranteed by the Constitution and international treaties and will defend these rights using all legal, appropriate, and effective means in domestic and international forums,” the statement concluded. “We also inform that the company intends to submit a relevant complaint to the competent state authorities regarding the aforementioned violations.”