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Time in Yerevan: 11:07,   29 March 2024

MP Samvel Aleksanyan claims voted for stripping arrested colleague of immunity

MP Samvel Aleksanyan claims voted for stripping arrested colleague of immunity

YEREVAN, JUNE 20, ARMENPRESS. Member of Parliament Samvel Aleksanyan claims that he has voted in favor of stripping his colleague Manvel Grigoryan of immunity during the June 19 vote. Three lawmakers had voted against in the closed vote, and rumor has it that one of them was Aleksanyan.  “Who says that I was the one who voted against. I said that I was in favor,” Aleksanyan told reporters, denying the rumors.

He also disapproved of those who have voted against.

Asked if he has visited the detained MP, Aleksanyan said: “Why should I?”

Manvel Grigoryan, the former general who is suspected in misappropriating military supplies and donations, as well as illegal possession of firearms, will remain in pre-trial detention for two months.

Grigoryan, a former general who chairs the Yerkrapah Volunteer Union, a paramilitary organization, was arrested on June 16 by national security service in his hometown of Ejmiatsin (Vagharshapat).

The lawmaker from the Republican Party faction is suspected in embezzling military supplies and illegal possession of firearms. Upon searching the compound of Grigoryan, agents found huge amounts of military weapons and ammunition and supplies, including donated food and clothing which was meant to be sent to soldiers in Artsakh back in 2016. The donated supplies even include letters written by schoolchildren during the days of the April War of 2016.

The Prosecutor General requested an extraordinary sitting of the parliament to take place to strip the MP of parliamentary immunity, in order to keep him in pre-trial custody.

The MP has denied any wrongdoing, and in a letter sent to the Speaker said he will restore his reputation, and called on his colleagues to strip him of immunity since “he has no desire to obstruct the investigation”.

A private zoo and a large car collection were also found during the search of the compound.

On June 19, the parliament voted to strip the MP of immunity and approved launching criminal proceedings.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan








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