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OSKANIAN IS FORMALLY CHARGED
by Ara Khachatourian
asbarez
Monday, October 8th, 2012
Oskanian, with his attorney, Tigran Atanesian outside of the National
Security Service building on Monday (Photolure)
YEREVAN-Armenia's former foreign minister Vartan Oskanian on Monday
was formally charged by Armenia's National Security Service with
money laundering following months of investigation, which he says is
politically motivated.
On Saturday Oskanian received a summons to appear at the NSS on
Monday. After spending an hour at the NSS, he was charged with one
count of money laundering and one count of misappropriation of funds,
stemming from a 2010 $1.4 million donation to his Civilitas Foundation
by American businessman Jon Huntsman Sr.
According to Oskanian's attorney Tigran Atanesian, the former foreign
minister was charged with one count each of "embezzlement or waste
of funds" and "legalization of incomes received in a criminal way"
of the Armenian Criminal Code. If convicted he can face high fines
and up to 12 years imprisonment.
"I've been invited to the National Security Service to be charged with
money laundering and funds misuse. At this point, both the public and
those involved in the probe believe the funds appropriation charge to
be absurd. I'll face the NSS only because that's what the law demands;
however, I won't be testifying," Oskanian said before entering the
NSS building. He also expressed gratitude to his supporters who have
launched a petition drive.
Oskanian was asked to present testimony as a "defendant" in the case
but refused to answer any questions.
Oskanian was elected to Parliament in May representing the Prosperous
Armenia Party. Last week parliament voted to allow his prosecution
by lifting his parliamentary immunity. He has insisted that the
investigation has been politically motivated and is an effort by
President Serzh Sarkisian's regime to "step up pressure" on him for
his criticism of the administration's policies.
The NSS did not restrict Oskanian's movement.
Last week former President Robert Kocharian, under whose administration
Oskanian served as foreign minister, criticized the investigation
and defended Oskanian.
The US Embassy in Yerevan also issued a warning last week saying:
"We hope that this case does not represent a politically motivated
and selective enforcement of Armenian law, as this would detract
from efforts to promote greater transparency and reform in the legal,
justice and legislative sectors in Armenia."
From: A. Papazian
by Ara Khachatourian
asbarez
Monday, October 8th, 2012
Oskanian, with his attorney, Tigran Atanesian outside of the National
Security Service building on Monday (Photolure)
YEREVAN-Armenia's former foreign minister Vartan Oskanian on Monday
was formally charged by Armenia's National Security Service with
money laundering following months of investigation, which he says is
politically motivated.
On Saturday Oskanian received a summons to appear at the NSS on
Monday. After spending an hour at the NSS, he was charged with one
count of money laundering and one count of misappropriation of funds,
stemming from a 2010 $1.4 million donation to his Civilitas Foundation
by American businessman Jon Huntsman Sr.
According to Oskanian's attorney Tigran Atanesian, the former foreign
minister was charged with one count each of "embezzlement or waste
of funds" and "legalization of incomes received in a criminal way"
of the Armenian Criminal Code. If convicted he can face high fines
and up to 12 years imprisonment.
"I've been invited to the National Security Service to be charged with
money laundering and funds misuse. At this point, both the public and
those involved in the probe believe the funds appropriation charge to
be absurd. I'll face the NSS only because that's what the law demands;
however, I won't be testifying," Oskanian said before entering the
NSS building. He also expressed gratitude to his supporters who have
launched a petition drive.
Oskanian was asked to present testimony as a "defendant" in the case
but refused to answer any questions.
Oskanian was elected to Parliament in May representing the Prosperous
Armenia Party. Last week parliament voted to allow his prosecution
by lifting his parliamentary immunity. He has insisted that the
investigation has been politically motivated and is an effort by
President Serzh Sarkisian's regime to "step up pressure" on him for
his criticism of the administration's policies.
The NSS did not restrict Oskanian's movement.
Last week former President Robert Kocharian, under whose administration
Oskanian served as foreign minister, criticized the investigation
and defended Oskanian.
The US Embassy in Yerevan also issued a warning last week saying:
"We hope that this case does not represent a politically motivated
and selective enforcement of Armenian law, as this would detract
from efforts to promote greater transparency and reform in the legal,
justice and legislative sectors in Armenia."
From: A. Papazian