ArmInfo.Iveta Tonoyan, the spokesperson for the Prosperous Armenia Party, issued a statement regarding RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's latest claims.
Tonoyan recalled that the previous day, party Chairman Gagik Tsarukyan, during a meeting with voters, stated that a large number of patrol police officers in the Kotayk region had been fired because their family members are supporters of the Prosperous Armenia Party. Shortly after Tsarukyan's remarks, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) issued a hasty denial, refuting the claim that any officers had been fired for political reasons. However, according to Tonoyan, the Prime Minister effectively contradicted the MIA's denial during his own public appearance today. Tonoyan noted that Pashinyan essentially confirmed Tsarukyan's statement by declaring that any officers with such political affiliations should be dismissed if they haven't been already.
Tonoyan argued that the Prime Minister's stance creates a dangerous precedent where any citizen with a relative or neighbor in the state system is barred from supporting the opposition. "It appears that if you have a relative or acquaintance working in law enforcement or the civil service, you are no longer permitted to sympathize with any political force. By the direct order of Nikol Pashinyan, they will be fired. In reality, this is exactly what is happening," Tonoyan stated.
Responding to Pashinyan's assertion that he does not fill positions with his own "inner circle," Tonoyan offered a detailed list to "refresh his memory" regarding high-level appointments: Vahe Ghazaryan: A former classmate and, until recently, the Minister of Internal Affairs. Hayk Ghalumyan: The Prime Minister's godfather, currently serving as the Governor of the Tavush Province. Hrachya Hakobyan: The Prime Minister's brother-in-law, now serving his second term as a Member of Parliament. Vahagn Hovakimyan: A former journalist for the Pashinyan-owned Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper, now heading the Central Electoral Commission (CEC). Sipan Pashinyan: The Prime Minister's nephew, a former Member of the National Assembly. Hakob Simidyan: The former Minister of Environment, whom Tonoyan identified as the individual who sheltered Pashinyan while he was a fugitive.
Concluding her statement, Tonoyan accused the Prime Minister of consolidating absolute power and circumventing the separation of powers. She sarcastically noted that Pashinyan has personally appointed himself to several "unofficial" roles: Nikol Pashinyan as Prosecutor General; Nikol Pashinyan as Chief of Police; Nikol Pashinyan as Director of the National Security Service (NSS) and Nikol Pashinyan as Judge "handing down verdicts every single day of this election campaign."
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