‘Though my position is political, I will try to keep the institution away from politics’ – Vahe Ghazaryan

The head of the RA Ministry of Internal Affairs, Vahe Ghazaryan, assures his intention to keep the institution away from politics.

‘Though my position is political, I will try to keep the institution away from politics. Ask whether I provided advice during the elections. I said, choose according to your conscience,’ Ghazaryan stated during a meeting with journalists on January 15.

At the same time, the minister did not provide a clear answer to a question concerning selective justice, when the Speaker of the National Assembly spits, and the citizen who was spat on is accused, while a member of parliament provokes, and the ‘culprit’ is the relative of a deceased soldier, or when a representative of the authority publicly threatens...

‘We are against violence,’ said Ghazaryan, advising the questioning journalist to address the Investigative Committee.

The minister reacted similarly to the incident that occurred during the municipal elections in Alaverdi, where the incumbent mayor was not allowed to enter the building at all. ‘We are categorically against interference in politics. Regarding Alaverdi, we simply sent forces there to maintain public order,’ Ghazaryan stated.

In response to questions regarding the use of force by police during protests in Yerevan following the tragic events in Artsakh last September, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs quickly assured that the victims of the situation were the police.

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aram Hovhannisyan confirmed that the young people leading the protesters were armed with sticks and stones, rather than being emotionally affected residents of Artsakh. Moreover, Hovhannisyan stated that the organizers of the rally were informed about this and asked to take measures, which were not taken, ultimately leading to clashes with the police. 21 police officers were hospitalized, added the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

However, the Ministry of Internal Affairs agrees that there are also cases of violations by police employees. An internal security and anti-corruption department has been established to investigate these cases. ‘There are cases. I know. We do not find excuses for them. We are fighting against corruption, against violence,’ assured Ghazaryan.

Returning to political questions, particularly why any movement by the Prime Minister is accompanied by a large number of police officers, the Ministry of Internal Affairs referred to a government decision. The security of Pashinyan is a government decision; the question about the number of escorts remained unanswered.