Open news feed Close news feed
A A

ENTREPRENEUR BECAME EXILE

Politics

Volodya Hovannissian, an opposition activist and Director of Aigeservice Ltd, stopped business activity in Armenia and moved to Tbilisi. Hovannissian says he escaped persecution and found a political asylum in Georgia.

On July 30 Volodya Hovannissian issued a statement which runs in part,

“Since Levon Ter-Petrossian stated to stand for the presidential election, my business became a target for economic terror. The reason is that as a shareholder and director of Aigservice Ltd , I dared to drum up business and become affiliated with the Pan-Armenian National Movement (HHSh). I expressed full support to Levon Ter-Petrossian, took an active part in his campaign, and afterwards, like hundreds of thousands of Armenia's dignified citizens, I did not accept the rigged outcome of the outrageous election.

After the slaughter of March 1 my house and the premises of Aigservice were searched. Naturally, they did not find the weapon and ammunition they were looking for. There is no evidence that I did anything illegal during the election and the aftermath peaceful protest.

Nevertheless, I am wanted unofficially. I became a political fugitive and undoubtedly I will be arrested on the very first opportunity. At the same time, the tax audit lasting for four months has almost dissolved and sent Aigservice bankrupt, which by the way used to be among the 300 major taxpayers of Armenia.

In the given situation there is nothing I - the devotee of independent, free and democratic Armenia and Artsakh, can do but to apologize to our innumerable customers and state that we stop our business waiting until the establishment of law and order in the country.

I do not give up the struggle for the Armenia I long for, and I will do my utmost to boost the struggle,” holds the statement.

Note, the initiator of the Committee for Political Prisoners, Karapet Rubinian, stated on July 30 that Volodya Hovannissian, got a political refuge in Georgia. Volodya Hovannissian was Levon Ter-Petrossian's proxy during the presidential election of February 19, 2008.