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HUFFINGTON POST: ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT THREATENS FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER
http://lurer.com/?p=45246&l=en
2012-10-02 14:09:20
An attack on a former foreign minister of Armenia is threatening to
shut down one of the country's most active and innovative non-profit
organizations.
Vartan Oskanian, a U.S.-educated Armenian who served as foreign
minister from 1998 to 2008, is being accused by the Armenian government
of money laundering for a donation he accepted from the father (an
American businessman and philanthropist) of former U.S. presidential
candidate Jon Huntsman Jr..
After leaving his post as foreign minister, Oskanian established The
Civilitas Foundation in 2008 in order to strengthen Armenia's civil
society. Since its creation, the foundation has received funding
from several Western governments, as well as the OSCE, a number of
international non-governmental organizations, and individual donors
from around the world. Jon Huntsman Sr. was one of these donors.
On Tuesday, the Armenian Parliament will vote to seek removal
of Oskanian's parliamentary immunity, in order to charge him with
expropriating funds and money laundering. If convicted, Oskanian could
face four to 12 years in prison. With or without Oskanian's immunity
being removed and whether or not he is put on trial, the Armenian
government can also, at any time, freeze the Civilitas bank account
and office resources, essentially shutting down the foundation,
putting over 60 people out of work, and putting an end to the many
successful development projects they have started in the country.
From: A. Papazian
http://lurer.com/?p=45246&l=en
2012-10-02 14:09:20
An attack on a former foreign minister of Armenia is threatening to
shut down one of the country's most active and innovative non-profit
organizations.
Vartan Oskanian, a U.S.-educated Armenian who served as foreign
minister from 1998 to 2008, is being accused by the Armenian government
of money laundering for a donation he accepted from the father (an
American businessman and philanthropist) of former U.S. presidential
candidate Jon Huntsman Jr..
After leaving his post as foreign minister, Oskanian established The
Civilitas Foundation in 2008 in order to strengthen Armenia's civil
society. Since its creation, the foundation has received funding
from several Western governments, as well as the OSCE, a number of
international non-governmental organizations, and individual donors
from around the world. Jon Huntsman Sr. was one of these donors.
On Tuesday, the Armenian Parliament will vote to seek removal
of Oskanian's parliamentary immunity, in order to charge him with
expropriating funds and money laundering. If convicted, Oskanian could
face four to 12 years in prison. With or without Oskanian's immunity
being removed and whether or not he is put on trial, the Armenian
government can also, at any time, freeze the Civilitas bank account
and office resources, essentially shutting down the foundation,
putting over 60 people out of work, and putting an end to the many
successful development projects they have started in the country.
From: A. Papazian