I would consider it betrayal in the case of an army general: Tonoyan on Mihran Poghosyan’s request for asylum from Russia

“As the Minister of Defense, let me be accountable for Army generals: If I’m not mistaken, Mihran Poghosyan has been a general in the National Security Service (NSS).” This statement was made by Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan while speaking with journalists at the NSS border troops headquarters, addressing the issue of former NSS head Mihran Poghosyan seeking political asylum in Russia. The minister added that he does not have clear information regarding the former NSS head requesting asylum from Russia.

When asked how he would view it if army generals took such a step, Tonoyan responded: “As betrayal.”

Regarding Mikayel Harutyunyan, a former defense minister charged in the March 1 case, although he has not sought asylum from Russia, it was revealed that he is a citizen of Russia, making his extradition difficult. Davit Tonoyan replied: “Having dual citizenship is not restricted by legislation; you are bringing me into a moral domain, I have my own rules of conduct.”

On whether he considers it normal from a security standpoint for a defense minister to have dual citizenship, Tonoyan stated: “As Davit Tonoyan, I do not consider it normal, but it can be legal.”