David Tonoyan Issues Statement

Former Armenian Minister of Defense David Tonoyan has stated that he has not and will not testify regarding the criminal case initiated against him, which he refers to as "unfounded." He added that his detention is unlawful.

Tonoyan announced that a court hearing has been scheduled for March 28, 2023, citing the judge's vacation as a reason for the rescheduling following a two-week recess under the pretext of participating in training courses. "I view this decision of the judge as an expression of the authorities' intention to 'punish' me through artificial delays in the hearings, keeping me in prolonged detention," he emphasized.

His lawyers had previously reported that the previous hearing was set to take place on February 21 but was moved to February 28, again citing the same reason of the judge being in training.

On September 30, 2021, the National Security Service announced the arrest of David Tonoyan and arms supplier David Galstyan on suspicion of committing particularly large-scale theft. Earlier, on September 25, the NSS had reported the arrest of former head of the Armed Forces Aviation Avetik Muradyan on suspicion of abuse of power resulting in severe consequences and committing official forgery.

There have been no expiration dates for military equipment conservation. Tonoyan plans to take action regarding this matter. According to the statement, he was officially aware that back in 2011, one of the companies supplying weapons and ammunition imported missiles produced between 1985 and 1991 into Armenia. Some of these missiles were removed from inventory and were never used, even during the 44-day war that began on September 27, 2020.

Since September 30, 2021, Tonoyan and Galstyan have been in custody. Charges have also been filed in this case against former Chief of the General Staff Artak Davtyan, former Deputy Chief of the General Staff Stepan Galstyan, Head of the Aviation Technical Asset Service of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia Artyom Hambaryan, and Chief Engineer of the Aviation Department Vladimir Babayan.