“Orakarg” reports on what it calls a new twist in the “confrontation” between Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian and parliament speaker Hovik Abrahamian. “Hovik Abrahamian started the confrontation by describing as ‘looters’ and ‘budget eaters’ those involved in abuses presented in the Audit Chamber’s annual report and saying that those cases must be sent to the prosecutor’s office,” writes the paper. It says that Sarkisian responded to that with a “counteroffensive.”
“At first, during an extraordinary session of the National Assembly Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgian stated that the abuses detected by the Audit Chamber were not systematic,” continues “Orakarg.” “But [the government] did not content itself with Armen Gevorgian’s defensive speech and put the Finance Ministry into action. The head of its Financial Oversight Inspectorate told journalists that serious abuses were detected in the distribution of [state-subsidized] diesel fuel in the regions and most of them occurred in Hovik Abrahamian’s native Ararat province. What is more, according to ministry information, Abrahamian’s brother Henrik and cousin Hovannes applied for and received subsidized fuel. In effect, the government is indirectly accusing Hovik Abrahamian of abusing his official position to help his relatives get subsidized fuel.”
Galust Sahakian, the parliamentary leader of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), assures “Hayots Ashkhar” that the Audit Chamber’s report “will not remain without consequences.” “People will be held accountable for their mistakes and crimes,” he says.
“Zhamanak” dismisses the chamber’s allegations and related developments as “theatrical shows.” “The society does not fully not realize just how dearly it pays for that theater demonstrated in a very unprofessional manner,” writes the paper. “Despite the obvious theater and embezzlement public pressure on the authorities is not sufficient.” It says that Armenians are too cynical to demand explanations from their government after such scandals.
(Tigran Avetisian)
“At first, during an extraordinary session of the National Assembly Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgian stated that the abuses detected by the Audit Chamber were not systematic,” continues “Orakarg.” “But [the government] did not content itself with Armen Gevorgian’s defensive speech and put the Finance Ministry into action. The head of its Financial Oversight Inspectorate told journalists that serious abuses were detected in the distribution of [state-subsidized] diesel fuel in the regions and most of them occurred in Hovik Abrahamian’s native Ararat province. What is more, according to ministry information, Abrahamian’s brother Henrik and cousin Hovannes applied for and received subsidized fuel. In effect, the government is indirectly accusing Hovik Abrahamian of abusing his official position to help his relatives get subsidized fuel.”
Galust Sahakian, the parliamentary leader of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), assures “Hayots Ashkhar” that the Audit Chamber’s report “will not remain without consequences.” “People will be held accountable for their mistakes and crimes,” he says.
“Zhamanak” dismisses the chamber’s allegations and related developments as “theatrical shows.” “The society does not fully not realize just how dearly it pays for that theater demonstrated in a very unprofessional manner,” writes the paper. “Despite the obvious theater and embezzlement public pressure on the authorities is not sufficient.” It says that Armenians are too cynical to demand explanations from their government after such scandals.
(Tigran Avetisian)