I Will Not Restrict My Right to Speak Openly with the Public: David Tonoyan

I will not restrict my right to speak openly with the public. This statement was made by the former Minister of Defense of Armenia, David Tonoyan.

“In light of the reactions published in the media, I would like to make a few points:

1. Familiarizing myself with the report prepared by the investigative committee established to investigate the circumstances of the military operations unleashed on September 27, 2020, and the minutes of the meetings held on August 1 and August 2, 2023, in which I participated, is not a 'whim.' It is a right guaranteed by constitutional law that I want to exercise—especially in the context of the 'trial' being conducted in Baku and the dozens of trials against Armenian military personnel.
2. When there is clear regulation in legislation, any formulations of 'allowing' or 'not allowing,' as well as hints regarding possible limitations on confidentiality, are considered baseless and unacceptable—especially given my previous official positions. Moreover, if I, being in a status of detention due to criminal prosecution and not having the status of a current official, participated in the meeting of the investigative committee, how can any restrictions be applied to me today?
3. As I stated in the dialogue book 'David Tonoyan: The Army, Politics, and War' published in September this year, my decision to participate in the meetings of the investigative committee was not easy; it was the result of long deliberations. Despite all the reservations I had regarding the real purposes of that committee, I ultimately decided to participate to show our society that I have nothing to hide. And when I am officially informed in writing that the report 'lacks a legal status,' my reservations are only reinforced.
4. There was a public expectation that the investigative committee's report would be made available to the public in one form or another during the fifth anniversary of the 44-day war in September 2025. Considering the aforementioned reservations, I agreed to the preparation and publication of the dialogue book 'The Army, Politics, and War' because I did not want to restrict my right to speak openly with the public for others' non-transparent purposes. I am confident that many questions can be answered in the book.
5. I expect to receive a substantive response in the near future to my letter addressed to the Chairman of the National Assembly on November 25 of this year. Otherwise, neither I nor, I am sure, the public will understand the real purpose behind the establishment of the committee.”