“Politics has nothing to do with it—this person committed a criminal act and must serve their sentence.” That is what authorities have always said when imprisoning someone they didn’t like for any reason. Russian, Azerbaijani, and Belarusian authorities say the same thing. We heard the same rhetoric under Brezhnev and even Stalin. And now, we hear it in Armenia’s so-called “bastion of democracy.”
Of course, I don’t rule out the possibility that former Civil Contract Party member Hovik Aghazaryan may have interceded for someone on some issue. But I have no doubt that Aghazaryan is far from the wealthiest among the CP elite. There are much bigger “fish”—people with family businesses, state property acquisitions, foreign real estate, and extensive financial networks. If, after a change of power, the so-called “Anti-Corruption Committee” still exists, it certainly won’t remain idle. But for now, it conveniently acts as if Hovik Aghazaryan is Armenia’s biggest corrupter.
The reality is far too obvious. The moment Aghazaryan began to deviate from the “party’s main line” in December of last year, Pashinyan ordered a search for compromising material against him. And as Stalin himself used to say: “If there is a man, an article will always be found.” Had Aghazaryan voluntarily given up his mandate, this may not have been necessary. But now, his fate is sealed. Even if he is not jailed, he will certainly be stripped of his mandate. (No need for a nationwide referendum on this decision, of course.)
What problem is the government solving with this? It’s very simple: no one whom the “boss” placed on the CP list and made an MP should dare to oppose the country’s monarch. Now, it is entirely predictable that no CP member will ever show independence again.
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First, they see what happens to those who do.
Second, as MPs, they know that in a year, elections will take place. Naturally, CP members are hoping Pashinyan will include them on the list again, ensuring another five years of a comfortable life. To make that dream a reality, they must not only avoid opposition but also be as aggressive as possible toward “former officials” and “Russian agents” over the next year.
And what will happen when Pashinyan is removed from his throne—one way or another? There’s no mystery there either. Just remember what Stalin’s inner circle said after the death of their “great leader.”
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
