Assistants of MPs Under the Attention of Law Enforcement: 'Zhoghovurd'

'Zhoghovurd' newspaper reports that among the participants of the brawl that took place in the National Assembly yesterday was Gerasim Vardanyan, the assistant of MP Tadevos Avetisyan from the 'Armenia' faction and a member of the ARF. It is worth recalling that according to the NSS, he was involved in the case regarding the storming of the government and National Assembly buildings during the night of November 9-10, a year ago. However, in an interview with 'Zhoghovurd', Vardanyan emphasized that he has no connection to that case.

“What does that have to do with me? A case has been initiated, but not once in a year have they called me for questioning,” he noted.

We also asked Vardanyan if it is possible that representatives of the authorities still hold a grudge against those involved in the events of November 9 and that they sought revenge yesterday. “Well, as many teeth they have, if necessary, we'll pull them out one by one until they are toothless,” he responded.

According to our sources, however, the officials have not forgotten about the incident involving Vardanyan. Moreover, ruling party MP Hrachya Hakobyan made outright accusations in an interview with a media outlet yesterday, claiming that they had appointed an assistant to a person charged with hooliganism and attempted murder.

“The man is going through a criminal case with the features of attempted murder. Gerasim Vardanyan is also accused of storming the 'Azatutyun' radio station. But it is not Gerasim who is to blame; it is his bosses. His only fault in this story is that he walks freely in the corridors of the National Assembly, thinking he has fulfilled his long-awaited dream of carrying out an assassination attempt on former Speaker Ararat Mirzoyan or trying to destroy the 'Azatutyun' editorial office. But no, this is an institution, and here he should walk with his head down,” Hakobyan said during the interview.

For comparison, it should be noted that among the assistants of ruling party MPs are also individuals who have attacked media outlets, made calls for violence, committed disproportionate actions, and have come under the attention of law enforcement. Nonetheless, they have also found employment in the National Assembly. For example, Hayk Stepanyan, who acts on behalf of the 'Guardians of the Revolution' group, was appointed as an assistant to National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan in September. It is worth recalling that Stepanyan, along with his associates, launched an egg “campaign” against the ‘Hayeli’ press club. In March 2020, a video was circulated online showing how the 'Guardians of the Revolution' forced a man who criticized Pashinyan to apologize to him. Therefore, before accusing the opposition, perhaps they should also clean up their own team.