YEREVAN, JUNE 25, ARMENPRESS: During the latest period the name of the Vicar of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan was often covered in the mass media, connected with the scandal around the Cyprus off-shore company registration. The Vicar of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese answered the questions of Armenpress on his relations with the businessman Ashot Sukiasyan, the news about the Cyprus off-shore company registration and the image of the real priest.

- The businessman Ashot Sukiasyan has recently sent an open letter to the General Prosecutor of the Republic of Armenia, informing that he had registered the Cyprus off-shore company on your name and the Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s name without your awareness. How could you comment on the situation?

- The fact is that the registration of that company has really been implemented without my awareness. I can say only that I do not have any connection with that story. I am very sorry that in our country a very bad tradition is being formed: without clarification and checking of the information they make a corresponding emotional background around a person.

- How would you comment on the talks that Ashot Sukiasyan presented you a “Bentley”?

- First of all, I would like to say that the “Bentley” was presented to me years ago but I do not drive it, as I prefer using my service car. I have not driven for 14 years. I consider the “Bentley” to be just a present.

- What do you think, what is the image of a real priest?

- For me the perfect image of a priest and an Armenian is Mesrop Mashtots. I think that the clergy class should not be separated from the nation. The priests are also humans and make mistakes and they are people with different talents, abilities and education level. Though it turns out that even the most naïve and honest people could become victims of disinformation. They should be assisted to come out from this welter and I will do it. (THE FULL VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

Interviewed by Shant Khlghatyan