Video: Are You Ready to be Questioned in the Covid Criminal Case? Avanesyan Responds

If the preliminary investigation finds it appropriate to question ministers in the 'Covid case', they will be summoned and questioned. This was stated by Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan during a conversation with reporters after a government session.

"I believe that questioning is not an interview that I can be prepared or unprepared for. If necessary, I am definitely ready to be questioned," said the minister, adding that she has no concerns that the criminal case may reach the level of ministers.

Regarding the detention of her former deputy, Simonian (later the Deputy Mayor of Yerevan Gevorg Simonian), Avanesyan believes that the lawyers will apply to change the chosen detention measure, as she is confident that Simonian will not hinder the fair investigation of the case.

As for the funds allocated for infection prevention during her tenure, the minister announced that throughout the Covid period, financial allocations have been made to all medical centers serving Covid. In 2021, 'Medline' was also included in the list of medical centers.

It is noteworthy that on March 14, L. H., the deputy director of 'Medline Clinic', was detained. It should be noted that earlier, in connection with the public criminal prosecution initiated regarding abuses related to the Covid-19 period (2020-2021), 8 employees of 'Medline Clinic' had been arrested, who were released on March 13.

On March 10, B. Sh., the director of 'Medline Clinic' LLC, L. E., the head of the oncology department of the National Center for Oncology SNCO, and Deputy Mayor of Yerevan, former Deputy Minister of Health Gevorg Simonian were also arrested in connection with the same case. A detention petition had been submitted for 3 of the 11 detainees.

Gevorg Simonian was detained on March 12. He has been charged under part 2 of Article 308 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia (abuse of official powers).