Human rights advocate Artur Sakunts is going to personally visit the Civilitas Foundation tomorrow to find out on what grounds the National Security Service (NSS) of the Republic of Armenia has launched a preliminary investigation and what issues have been raised. Let us remind that the statement of the NSS informs that tax audit is carried out in the foundation at the moment, as well as that charges have been brought against Vartan Oskanian, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, a member of the Prosperous Armenia Party and the founder of the Civilitas Foundation, in accordance with Article 190, Section 3, Clause 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, i.e. “legalizing money gained by illegal means” – money
laundering. “It is obvious that one can link it exceptionally to the attitude of the party, its relationship with the ruling party, one cannot suggest any other grounds or motivation. The issue of money laundering has arisen only lately, why, if there was an issue concerning money laundering, it could have been 2 months ago or last year, Civilitas has not just opened…,” Mr. Sakunts said during a conversation with www.aravot.am.
He sees political motives also in arresting Hrayr Nikoghosyan, the PAP head of the community of Aramus, region of Kotayk, “Village headmen, heads of communities, which were members of the PAP, are not the only ones who are heads of communities.” In the human rights advocate’s assessment, the rule of law doesn’t work in Armenia, therefore, “Political persecutions have been, are and will be there in our country. The one whose attitude the government doesn’t like is to be persecuted, in order that they may subdue him, bring him to his senses and make him more controllable.” According to the human rights advocate’s prediction, as the presidential election approaches, such actions will continue in order to make the political stage more controllable.
ARPINE SIMONYAN
