This is an expression of political persecution: Vigen Sargsyan on his criminal prosecution

This is an expression of political persecution. In each of the 18 months I served in the Ministry of Defense, I did more for the army than the entire capitulatory administration has done in five years. This was stated by former Minister of Defense Vigen Sargsyan on his Facebook page.

“Publish the list of those who received apartments, indicating each person's combat path and merits, and the list of those whose rights have allegedly been violated according to the supervising prosecutor. It's disgusting! Information has emerged regarding the prosecutor's decision to involve me and five officials from the Ministry of Defense as defendants based on supposed abuses in the apartment distribution process that hasn't been exposed since September 2019. In all my capacities, especially as Minister of Defense, I have consistently served with integrity, guided by the aim of strengthening the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh and advancing our national interests. This is known to everyone I have interacted with in the course of my work.

In each of the 18 months I served as Minister of Defense, I did more for the combat readiness of the Armed Forces and the strengthening of the army than the entire capitulatory administration led by Pashinyan has done in the last five years. The operation of distributing 26 apartments, which was perhaps the most insignificant in terms of my official authority but of public importance, was carried out in compliance with the law, based on the combat paths and merits of the recipients.

Instead of spreading long absurdities, we should publish the list of recipients of the apartments, indicating each person's combat path and merits, and the list of those whose rights have allegedly been violated according to the prosecutor. I am confident that will be sufficient to consider the topic exhausted. It is simply disgusting.

It is ridiculous that the prosecutor's office, without making any effort to contact me, even though I have repeatedly stated that my phone number and email remain unchanged and regarding my whereabouts, has deprived me of the opportunity to defend my legal rights. This is nothing but an expression of political persecution and a blatant violation of human rights, as has been explicitly done for years against all opposition figures. In this case, it also signals the undesirability of my return to Armenia by the criminals who have blatantly undermined the country's defense. This is not a new signal; it is merely being updated against the backdrop of many upcoming dangerous developments.”