Investigating Gagik Beglaryan's Departure from Armenia

For several days now, reports have been circulating in the media about the departure of former Minister of Transport and Communications Gagik Beglaryan from Armenia. It is worth noting that he had been questioned as a witness in the North-South road case currently under the jurisdiction of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia.

Nairi Harutyunyan, the head of the press office of the Investigative Committee, confirmed in an interview with 168.am that Beglaryan had been questioned as a witness but stated that they had no information regarding his departure from Armenia.

When asked how they interpret the criticism suggesting that Beglaryan, who is a witness in a criminal case, has left Armenia, and whether the pre-trial body could have prevented a witness from leaving the country, Harutyunyan responded:

“The Investigative Committee does not have such authority. According to Armenian legislation, a ban on crossing the border can only be imposed on a person with the procedural status of a suspect or accused within the framework of criminal cases. Therefore, the fact that Gagik Beglaryan, or any other individual, has left Armenia cannot be considered an oversight by any law enforcement agency.”