The 'Secret' Donor is My Father, and the Gift is Our Family Home: CEC President

CEC President Vahagn Hovakimyan commented on the publication of the newspaper 'Zhoghovurd,' which claimed that he did not specify the source of the donation received in 2020 for a property in Ajapnyak, consisting of a building, attached real estate, and two land parcels.

"I usually prefer not to address absurd and unfounded publications about myself, or I limit myself to sending clarifications to the author of the publication. The reason for responding to this publication with an official statement is that the subject matter has spread across several media outlets as a press overview from 'Zhoghovurd' (the armlur.am website, which is, in fact, the same 'Zhoghovurd' newspaper, has also disseminated its own publication as a press overview).

The publication is based on the data presented in my property and income declaration, but the article is a distorted presentation of reality. Thus, the publication mentions: '... the source of the donation received in 2020 for the property in Ajapnyak, consisting of a building, attached real estate, and two land parcels is not specified.'

Anyone aware of the regulations regarding the submission and publication of officials' property and income declarations knows that an official cannot omit stating the source of property acquisition, and this information is always included in the declaration. The official does not determine which details of their declaration the Anti-Corruption Commission of Armenia should publish; this process is regulated by legislation. If the information in the official's declaration is included in a list of data that is protected and not subject to publication, journalists know they can approach the relevant official and request clarification. If the official refuses, then the journalist is free to write any conclusion they imagine. However, it is natural that no representative of the mentioned media outlet sought clarification from either me or the CEC President's press secretary.

But if the journalist from 'Zhoghovurd' had inquired about what kind of property I received as a donation, I would have answered that it is part of my family home, which my father, Misak Mnatsakanyan Hovakimyan, donated to me in 2020. The other part was donated to my brother, Hayk Misaki Hovakimyan. To preempt any potential follow-up questions, I would also say that my father began constructing that house in 1973.

I would clarify that the second real estate mentioned in the declaration is a gazebo ('besedka') that I personally built in our garden, and the jointly owned land is a 15 square meter part of our house's land, which was registered as my and my brother's joint property due to the division of the house.

If the journalist from 'Zhoghovurd' had asked about the company founded in 2005 of which I am the sole shareholder, I would explain that it has been a family business and has ceased operations since December 2011, and this information is available at the State Revenue Committee.

If they asked why there is nothing regarding my wife's income in her declaration, despite her being an individual entrepreneur, I would clarify that, simply put, although my wife registered as an individual entrepreneur last year, she has not yet started any activity. If she has committed an offense, I apologize on her behalf.

They could have also inquired about the car, and I would respond that I purchased it on August 23, 2021, for 2 million drams, as my son had received a driver's license, and we already had a driver at home. I do not drive myself and do not enjoy driving. The statement 'He has never owned a car in his life' concerned me a bit because I previously thought my life was still ahead of me and that I had only lived half of it. In any case, I wish the journalist good health and a long life and hope that if in the future they or any of their colleagues have questions about me, they will not deny themselves the opportunity to receive answers directly from me," the CEC President stated in the released clarification.