Alen Simonian's Residence Expenses Kept Secret: Aregnaz Manukyan

Member of the "Armenia" faction, Aregnaz Manukyan, wrote on her Facebook page: "The expenses of Alen Simonian's residence are kept secret. As has been previously reported, Alen Simonian, not being satisfied with purchasing a $200,000 luxury property with budget funds, was also renovating the governmental summer residence in Kond for his relocation.

I informed that I had sent an inquiry to the head of the government staff, Arayik Harutyunyan, requesting clarification on the following questions:

1. Which specific governmental residence is being renovated for Alen Simonian?
2. When did the renovation work begin, and when will it be completed?
3. How much money has been spent and will be spent on the renovation of that residence, and from what sources have these funds been allocated?
4. How much money will be spent on the furnishing of that residence? From which company will the furnishing be procured, and has a competition been announced for furnishing Alen Simonian’s governmental residence, or has the purchase been made from one person?
5. When was that residence last renovated, and how much money was spent for that purpose?
6. Is the former President of the National Assembly of Armenia, now Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, still residing in his governmental residence? If so, when does he intend to vacate it and return it to the government's balance?
7. How much money was spent on the renovation of Ararat Mirzoyan's residence, in which year, and from what sources? When was it last renovated and how much money was spent for that purpose?
8. How much money was spent on the renovation of Nikol Pashinyan's residence, in which year, and from what sources? When was it last renovated and how much money was spent for that purpose?

And from the world’s "most democratic" government, the response has been that these expenses are confidential and not subject to publication.

In response to my inquiry, Arayik Harutyunyan specifically stated: "According to Article 15, Part 2 of the Republic of Armenia Law on Procurement, the procurement plan containing state secrets includes goods, works, and services necessary for the provision of protocol expenses, accommodation, food, and transport services for officials listed under Article 5, Part 2 of the Law on Ensuring the Safety of Persons under Special State Protection." Given the aforementioned and based on Article 6, Part 3 of the Law on the Guarantees of the Activities of Members of the National Assembly of Armenia, you can familiarize yourself with the documents on-site by visiting the First Division of the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office.

Regarding the question of Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan residing in a governmental residence, it is noted that the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan reside there with their families.

It took merely 3 years for the revolutionaries, who regularly livestreamed from the governmental residence, showcasing its sauna, refrigerator, renovations, and every corner, to become characters from George Orwell's "Animal Farm."