Serzh Sargsyan Calls the Persecution Against Him Absurd, Says Defense

It is evident that this show is being carried out to divert public attention from certain issues, and it is clear that it is not succeeding. This was stated by Amram Makinyan, attorney for Armenia's third president Serzh Sargsyan, in an interview with Factinfo.

As previously reported, Serzh Sargsyan was charged yesterday under Article 311, Part 4, Clause 2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia for receiving a particularly large bribe as a public official. As a measure to ensure his presence, his obligation not to leave has been established.

Moreover, the Anti-Corruption Committee has charged Sargsyan in connection with a criminal case, dubbed the “Sugar Silva” case of Silva Hambartsumyan, which was initiated three years ago. According to the case, Silva Hambartsumyan allegedly gave a bribe to the president.

Attorney Amram Makinyan deemed the criminal case absurd and questioned why the case, initiated three years ago, was only now being brought up, asserting that this show is intended to distract the public from pressing issues, but it is clear that it is failing. “The questions that have been subject to investigation for years have received answers, and nothing has changed; one day they decide to involve someone as a defendant. It is obvious that this is aimed at diverting the public's attention, to stage a new show. No one can now distract from the fundamental issues, it is clear to all of us what problems our country is currently facing,” emphasized Makinyan.

Serzh Sargsyan was interrogated in this criminal case years ago, after which no action or newly emerged facts have been present. Makinyan assured that there are no new circumstances and there cannot be, because if the investigating body had evidence, it would have approached the court with a request for detention as a measure. “In this situation, we could have in our hands the presumed testimonies that were already provided back in 2018. That is the context in which Mr. President was interrogated, and it has been 3.5 years since these have not been subjected to legal evaluation, because there has been no legal basis for their evaluation, and now to revive the same facts and assess them is nothing but an attempt to divert the public's attention, as well as a failed attempt to restrain the political activities of Mr. President. It is an absurd situation,” said Makinyan.

Sargsyan himself also commented on the charges brought by the Anti-Corruption Committee yesterday, labeling the process as absurd. “The process from start to finish is absurd, a stillborn process,” noted the attorney.