We Will Defend Arthur Vanetsyan's Rights: Representatives of Vanetsyan

Three days ago, at midnight, the press secretary of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia issued a statement that also addressed former NSS director Arthur Vanetsyan. This was announced by Arthur Vanetsyan’s representatives, Lusine Sahakyan and Aramazd Kiveryan.

In their statement, they mentioned, “The announcement particularly states that allegedly, ‘M.Minasyan’s share in the Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine (ZPMC) was reportedly acquired by the former NSS director Arthur Vanetsyan through manifest abuse of official powers and again with the assistance of fake shareholders. The company owned by his father has also become a major cargo transporter for ZPMC.’”

The Prime Minister’s press secretary deemed it necessary to convey the Prime Minister’s “indication” to the law enforcement agencies, stating, “The Prime Minister expects that the Armenian law enforcement agencies, despite all difficulties, will properly investigate the above and provide the people of Armenia with reliable answers.”

We declare that the information contained in the Prime Minister’s spokesperson’s announcement bears no relation to reality. The statement further mentions, “We consider it unacceptable and horrifying to disseminate obviously defamatory information through the spokesperson of the head of state, especially the indication of conducting some ‘proper investigation,’ which contains elements of direct political pressure.”

Using the entire legal toolbox available, we will undertake the defense of Arthur Vanetsyan's rights and prepare a corresponding civil claim to be presented to the court. Anyone who commits defamation must answer for it within the framework of the law, and the practice of defamation must be definitively rejected in Armenia.