David Tonoyan: Onik Gasparyan Stated It Was Necessary to Stop the War, and It Was Coordinated with Me

Former Minister of Defense of Armenia, David Tonoyan, who has been in detention since September 30, 2021, responded in writing to several questions from NEWS.am.

Mr. Tonoyan, essentially, most of the defendants in the criminal case against you are at liberty. In your opinion, what issue are the law enforcement agencies addressing by keeping you in custody?

A criminal case has been filed against seven former and current officials, three of whom remain in detention. In my opinion, the law enforcement system is refraining from releasing me from detention at this tumultuous time, coinciding with the anniversary of the 44-day military operations, due to previous controversial statements it made during the arrests regarding those actions (which were based on slander and a lack of sectoral knowledge). The court also shares this concern and continues the same modus operandi, having refrained from holding any hearings for about two months, fully aware that the upcoming trial will reveal obvious grounds for releasing those in custody as well as justifying their actions.

Due to this, we are taking steps to protect our rights and are preparing to apply to the European Court of Human Rights.

There are observations that your detention has political motivations. How have your relations with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan been since the 44-day war?

I maintained what I consider to be a reliable relationship with the Prime Minister during my term, especially during moments of making significant and challenging decisions. I cannot describe the post-war relations as negative or tense, but certainly, my detention has political motivations, which the Prime Minister himself stated from the parliamentary podium. It turned out that "politics" began to occupy itself with me regardless of my will, desires, and behavior.

Why did you resign? Were you under pressure?

I did not resign, and on the day I was dismissed, I stated, “At this moment, ceasing my service is twice as difficult because I do not have the habit of taking the easy and accepted path to avoid finding myself in a difficult situation if the service to the state and the people is at stake. I have adhered to this principle since the spring of 2018. But the current situation needs defusing. And I want my departure to be perceived in that context.”

I have nothing else to add to what has already been said.

After the 44-day war, former Chief of Staff Onik Gasparyan stated that on the fourth day of the war, he reported during the Security Council meeting that it was necessary to stop the war within 2-3 days. Pashinyan denies this claim by Gasparyan. As the Minister of Defense who was present at that meeting, did you hear Gasparyan’s report?

I have previously mentioned and now reaffirm that the aforementioned statement was made, moreover, it was made not only during Security Council meetings, and it was coordinated with me. Nevertheless, the Armed Forces were ready to fight based on the principle of “no step back,” regardless of diplomatic efforts to cease military operations.