Whom Did the Prime Minister Mean? Who Has Been Involved in Arms Sales in African Countries

On the previous day, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made a remarkable statement, noting that Armenian-registered aircraft have been involved in illegal activities in African countries for many years, including arms sales.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that not only have there been dismissals related to the activities of a number of former officials, but a criminal case has now been initiated due to their negligent behavior.

It turns out that former officials of the Civil Aviation Committee concealed these facts from the chairperson, Tatevik Revazyan, and the government, allegedly for corrupt motives.

Following the Prime Minister's statement, the newspaper “Zhoghovurd” contacted former civil aviation head Artyom Movsesyan; however, upon hearing the question, he declined to comment.

On the other hand, the spokesperson for Sergey Avetisyan, the former head of civil aviation and director of “Armenia International Airports,” Satenik Hovhannisyan, addressed this matter and stated: “He has no connection to these events.”

However, it should be noted that “Taron Avia” also had an office in the United Arab Emirates and conducted air transportation operations in Africa using AN-12 and IL-76 aircraft.

Did the Prime Minister mean “Taron Avia” when discussing arms sales? Commercial director Levon Karameyan told “Zhoghovurd” that “It definitely doesn’t refer to us; there are other airlines that operate in Africa,” the newspaper writes.

Read the full article in today’s edition of the newspaper.