Ruben Hakobyan: “We are all Oskanians”
Vartan Oskanian, an MP of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), became the victim of the game rules set by the BHK and ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), says the head of the opposition Heritage faction, Ruben Hakobyan.
During today's parliament briefings, the Heritage official said that Oskanian's issue will still be debated for a long time.
"The issue has clear political subtext: one ought to have great desire to ignore it," he said.
Asked who would be the next Oskanian, Mr Hakobayan said, "We are all potential Oskanians."
Regarding the relations between his party and Free Democrats, the Heritage representative said nothing had changed. "Tevan Poghosyan has not officially been registered as MP, besides [Heritage leader] Raffi Hovannisian has not yet withdrawn his application to give up his parliamentary seat. Khachatur Kokobelyan is not in the country. As soon as he returns, we shall consider the issue. Basically, there are no contradictions but some questions need to be clarified and agreed upon in group discussions," he said adding that the answer will be known till Oct. 10.
As for the pending sale of the MFA building, the former consul said, "The news about the sale saddened me. The building is very comfortable. It's painful for me to pass by the building knowing that it no longer belongs to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
ARf-Dashnaktsutyun MP Aghvan Vardanyan also sees political motives behind the persecution against Vartan Oskanian.
"If Oskanian had not entered politics, the prosecutor general would not have come to the National Assembly after him. The parliament majority is not in a good situation following the recent events involving Oskanian."
Armenia's ex-Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian and his Civilitas Foundation are accused of failing to report US$2 million donations received from the sale of 100% shares of Huntsman Building Products, LLC JSC owned by the U.S.-based Polymer Materials and Huntsman International corporations, and for misusing important portions of the funds donated for charitable purposes. The National Security Service (NSS) press service launched on May 25 criminal proceedings against Oskanian and Civilitas Foundation for "money laundering based on Article 190 Para 3.1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia."
On September 2, the Armenian National Assembly upheld Prosecutor General's petition to strip Vartan Oskanian from his parliamentary immunity with a 64/6 vote.
