Vahagn Khachaturyan Acquires Ultra-Expensive Armored Vehicle: Why Are His Expenses Kept Secret?

The newspaper "Zhoghovurd" reports that an inquiry was sent to the office of the President of the Republic of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan, to determine how much fuel has been consumed by the vehicle servicing him over the past year. We asked how many vehicles service him and requested information on the fuel expenses for all vehicles serving him.

We also requested the amount of additional fuel provided for all the servicing vehicles and for what purposes. The presidential office quickly responded to our inquiry, informing us hours later that the vehicles serving the president, as well as accompanying vehicles, are not accounted for in the president's office, and therefore, no fuel is allocated by him for these vehicles.

Later, the presidential office clarified that all vehicles serving the president are under the control of the Special Protection Service (PPS), which is why they could not provide any data. In response to our verbal inquiries, the PPS stated that they cannot say anything verbally.

Subsequently, the same inquiry was sent to Arthur Gasparyan, acting head of the PPS. Days later, a document was sent under Mr. Gasparyan's signature, stating that, according to Article 3 of the law "On Ensuring the Safety of Persons under Special State Protection" of the Republic of Armenia, state protection is carried out based on a combination of open and secret methods and means, and according to Article 15 of the same law, the protection of state and service secrets in the RA State Protection Service is carried out in accordance with the "Law on State and Service Secrets" of the Republic of Armenia.

The response was the same as that given regarding Prime Minister Pashinyan: information regarding the vehicles serving the president and details about them is considered a state secret and is not subject to publication.

At the same time, we find it necessary to note that sources close to the president have informed the "Zhoghovurd" newspaper that Khachaturyan has recently acquired an ultra-expensive armored vehicle. Thus, the president's motorcade does not fall short compared to Nikol Pashinyan's motorcade.