VIDEO: Everything was lavish, I am ready to return. Ara Vardanyan

Ara Vardanyan, the former Executive Director of the Armenia Pan-Armenian Fund, just stepped out of the National Security Service's isolation facility. It is worth mentioning that Vardanyan was previously subject to detention as a precautionary measure, which was today replaced by a bail of 10 million drams, according to a court decision.

After his release from isolation, Vardanyan told NEWS.am that everything in the facility had been very good. “Everything was lavish, I am ready to return.” Vardanyan stated that he has no connection to the charges brought against him, asserting, “I am confident that I have not committed any violations; this will be proven.” He reaffirmed his belief that he is being subjected to political persecution.

“Perhaps I was very active, and I spoke out strongly against this government, which has become fashionable. When we were speaking out, very few did, but now everyone has started to talk. I am convinced that there was initially a goal to close the fund, but for various reasons, those objectives changed. However, the fact that I was detained solely because I am strongly opposed to the policy that is currently taking place, I am convinced that was the reason for my detention,” he said.

Vardanyan also indicated that he intends to remain involved in politics. “I am sure that I will soon have opportunities to speak out; I will do everything so that Armenia becomes the Armenia that we truly want to see,” he stated.

In a conversation with NEWS.am, Ara Vardanyan's lawyer, Ervand Varosyan, stated that their next steps will be related to the progress of the preliminary investigation. He also assured that in due time, Vardanyan's innocence will be established. Varosyan agreed with Vardanyan's statement regarding political persecution. “I cannot disagree with him. I find the persecution against him incomprehensible. I am fully confident that everything will find its resolution within the framework of the law,” he suggested.

It should be noted that on October 9, Ara Vardanyan was charged under Article 179, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia for embezzlement. The basis for the charge was the failure of one of the fund's sub-enterprises to deliver products to its clients. By decision of the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction, Vardanyan had been subjected to detention as a precautionary measure.