The Ministry of Justice Initiates Proceedings Regarding Davit Tonoyan: 'Joghout' Newspaper

According to the 'Joghout' newspaper, the Ministry of Justice has initiated proceedings regarding former Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan. Yesterday, Minister Grigor Minasyan stated that following the publication by the 'Joghout' newspaper, the Ministry's supervisory department commenced an internal investigation on August 7, 2023, regarding the incident. The results of the investigation are not yet available.

But what incident is being discussed? The 'Joghout' newspaper reported that the dismissal of the former head of the penitentiary service, Sergei Atomyan, is primarily connected to former Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan. Specifically, it was noted that on August 1, when Davit Tonoyan was transferred from the NSS isolation facility to a session of the National Assembly's investigative committee, he requested his escorts to allow him a brief visit with his mother before continuing to the National Assembly.

The officers escorting Tonoyan contacted Sergei Atomyan to obtain permission for this visit. The head of the penitentiary service permitted Tonoyan to go home and visit his mother, provided that nobody else knew. This means that the ministry is investigating how the former minister, who is under detention, managed to go home.

It is worth noting that on August 5, following a decision by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Sergei Atomyan was dismissed from the position of head of the Penitentiary Service, a role he held since September 15, 2021. Incidentally, the position of head of the penitentiary service remains vacant, and they have been unable to find a candidate.