David Tonoyan on Recent Events

The former Minister of Defense of Armenia, David Tonoyan, has issued a statement regarding the recent events. Below is the statement:

“1. I regret that I am deprived of the opportunity to be useful to our Armed Forces during these days. I bow before the parents of the servicemen who sacrificed their lives for the homeland and upheld the honor of the Armenian army.

2. Just a few days before the military actions unleashed by Azerbaijan on September 13, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan targeted the Armed Forces of Armenia once again during a speech in Vladivostok, once again attempting to shift all responsibility for the results of the 2020 war onto the military.

3. On September 14, while military operations were still ongoing, the Prime Minister spoke from the podium of the National Assembly about the “Program for the Development of Armaments and Military Technology,” once again proving that he has a “unique” approach to fulfilling his official duties. As for the issue of body armor and helmets, I have already addressed this topic in April 2022 and, unlike some, do not have the habit of repeating myself.

4. I reiterate that my decisions regarding the acquisition of armaments and military technology, which I made within the limits of my authority, were justified. One such decision, to transfer aviation missiles FREE OF CHARGE to the Armed Forces of Armenia without any obligation for the military reserve, has resulted in my being unlawfully imprisoned for nearly a year.

5. The Prime Minister’s “exhibition” from the Far East about the public nature of the trial does not seem to be accepted by the Anti-Corruption Court. Therefore, considering the trial’s closed nature, I suggest to Nikol Pashinyan not to comment on this case anymore.”