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LEVON ZURABYAN CALLS ON ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT FOR SELF-IMMOLATION
by Karina Manukyan
Wednesday, November 20, 14:28
There is systematic corruption in Armenia and high- ranking officials
are on the top of the corruption pyramid, says Levon Zurabyan, Head
of the Armenian National Congress Faction in the Parliament.
He addressed reporters on Wednesday recalling that ANC sent a number
of corruption-related questions to the Government on 5 November.
Particularly, Zurabyan said, nearly $700 million budget embezzlement
is recorded every year. This was figured out on the basis of the data
of the World Bank, Policy Forum Armenia and other organizations.
"Adding this figure to the budget revenue embezzlements, we will
find out that these robbers pocket up to $2 billion of taxpayers'
money every year. But for this circumstance, Armenia would become a
prospering country," the parliamentarian said. In addition, he said,
ANC is concerned over the offshore scandal around Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan. Zurabyan said the prime minister still fails to
bring any facts to prove that he is not involved in the case.
There were corruption processes connected also with Armavia air carrier
that underpaid 7 billion drams to the state budget. In addition,
ANC demands the Government to explain corruption in the government
procurement system, acquisition of cars by Mihran Poghosyan, Head
of Service of Compulsory Enforcement of Criminal Acts, from his own
company, as well as corrupt purchase of fuel of Flash Company.
Zurabyan touched upon the insurance companies that received 10 billion
drams from the Government and provided services for some 4 billion
drams, the paid parking, speed measurement devices and cameras in
the street. Zurabyan said that only one company participated in the
tender and 70% of annual incomes (that is $7-$8 billion according to
Zurabyan) will be pocketed by privates. Nothing will be submitted to
the budget. Zurabyan said the Armenian president's brother is involved
in this.
The last question to the Government indicates at the contradictory
property declarations by statesmen. According to Zurabyan, such
wealth is impossible to buy having no incomes besides a salary of a
civil servant. ANC's list includes the president, the prime minister,
the head of the State Revenue Department Gagik Khachatryan, Deputy
Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan, Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan, former
governor of Syunik Suren Khachatryan and former prosecutor general
Aghvan Hovsepyan.
"What has the Government done to expose these criminal practices and
punish those guilty?" Zurabyan asked. He is sure that those guilty will
hardly ever admit their guilt and leave their posts. Zurabyan thinks
that the Government has nothing to do but resort to self-immolation.
By the Government Regulations, the Government is to reply to the
written questions within 20 days. On 3 December, the questions will
be discussed at the regular four-day meeting of the Parliament.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=D9EDAC10-51D6-11E3-B43F0EB7C0D21663
From: Baghdasarian
by Karina Manukyan
Wednesday, November 20, 14:28
There is systematic corruption in Armenia and high- ranking officials
are on the top of the corruption pyramid, says Levon Zurabyan, Head
of the Armenian National Congress Faction in the Parliament.
He addressed reporters on Wednesday recalling that ANC sent a number
of corruption-related questions to the Government on 5 November.
Particularly, Zurabyan said, nearly $700 million budget embezzlement
is recorded every year. This was figured out on the basis of the data
of the World Bank, Policy Forum Armenia and other organizations.
"Adding this figure to the budget revenue embezzlements, we will
find out that these robbers pocket up to $2 billion of taxpayers'
money every year. But for this circumstance, Armenia would become a
prospering country," the parliamentarian said. In addition, he said,
ANC is concerned over the offshore scandal around Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan. Zurabyan said the prime minister still fails to
bring any facts to prove that he is not involved in the case.
There were corruption processes connected also with Armavia air carrier
that underpaid 7 billion drams to the state budget. In addition,
ANC demands the Government to explain corruption in the government
procurement system, acquisition of cars by Mihran Poghosyan, Head
of Service of Compulsory Enforcement of Criminal Acts, from his own
company, as well as corrupt purchase of fuel of Flash Company.
Zurabyan touched upon the insurance companies that received 10 billion
drams from the Government and provided services for some 4 billion
drams, the paid parking, speed measurement devices and cameras in
the street. Zurabyan said that only one company participated in the
tender and 70% of annual incomes (that is $7-$8 billion according to
Zurabyan) will be pocketed by privates. Nothing will be submitted to
the budget. Zurabyan said the Armenian president's brother is involved
in this.
The last question to the Government indicates at the contradictory
property declarations by statesmen. According to Zurabyan, such
wealth is impossible to buy having no incomes besides a salary of a
civil servant. ANC's list includes the president, the prime minister,
the head of the State Revenue Department Gagik Khachatryan, Deputy
Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan, Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan, former
governor of Syunik Suren Khachatryan and former prosecutor general
Aghvan Hovsepyan.
"What has the Government done to expose these criminal practices and
punish those guilty?" Zurabyan asked. He is sure that those guilty will
hardly ever admit their guilt and leave their posts. Zurabyan thinks
that the Government has nothing to do but resort to self-immolation.
By the Government Regulations, the Government is to reply to the
written questions within 20 days. On 3 December, the questions will
be discussed at the regular four-day meeting of the Parliament.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=D9EDAC10-51D6-11E3-B43F0EB7C0D21663
From: Baghdasarian