Pashinyan Successfully Pressures Defense Ministry on Fuel Issue: ‘168 Hours’

According to the newspaper ‘168 Hours’, a serious scandal is brewing in the Armenian Ministry of Defense (MoD). Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is inclined to have the MoD agree to procure Iranian diesel fuel, which, according to opinions, is of quite low quality and may not be suitable for use in winter.

Sources indicate that the Ministry of Defense has never used Iranian diesel fuel before. Allegedly, the person behind this initiative is Roman Muradyan, who was nominated by the ruling ‘My Step’ alliance during the parliamentary elections on December 9, 2018. He ranked 162nd on the ‘My Step’ electoral list and was a candidate in the Ararat region.

The same sources mention that Pashinyan has managed to pressure the MoD leadership regarding the fuel issue; however, the Minister, understanding the risks and damages, is strongly opposed to this deal, as is the leadership of the Armenian Armed Forces General Staff. Opinions suggest that Iranian fuel does not meet the quality standards accepted in Armenia.

For more details, refer to today’s issue of the newspaper.