VIDEO. Alen Simonian on Coercing Testimony Against Vanetsyan

“No law enforcement can extract testimony from anyone in the Republic of Armenia or force them to testify,” said Alen Simonian, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, during a conversation with journalists. He was responding to media reports suggesting that efforts are being made to coerce testimony regarding former NSS director Arthur Vanetsyan.

He noted that, as an official, there had been complaints filed against him in the Special Investigation Service, and he provided testimony, which concluded the case. “So it can be said that I was subject to persecution? Not at all. Why is it that you don’t mention my case but focus on Arthur Vanetsyan’s?”

Simon Simonian further elaborated that discussions about Vanetsyan's flower business occurred before his resignation. “The same individuals who filed complaints against me have also spoken about Vanetsyan’s business. Let’s not separate the issues; let’s be honest. I assure you, if Arthur Vanetsyan were still the NSS director today, and if there were applications and documents, people would have been summoned for questioning. The question here is not about Arthur Vanetsyan, but rather whether we will proceed with such actions or not. We will not do such a thing. You cannot, as another member of the administration or the Prime Minister, give instructions for criminal cases to be opened against someone,” he stated.

Video by Armdaily.am: