YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 1, ARMENPRESS. The Investigative Department of the National Security Service (NSS) will soon make a statement disclosing the assets of former President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan and his family, NSS Director Artur Vanetsyan told reporters.

“A criminal investigation is underway, and soon the Investigative Department of the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia will deliver a corresponding statement,” Vanetsyan said.

Earlier in 2018, Vanetsyan had claimed that they possess information on how Kocharyan’s family became the owner of Congress hotel, an upscale hotel in downtown Yerevan.

Vanetsyan said that a criminal investigation on money laundering is underway.

2nd President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, who ruled the country from 1998 to 2008, spent two weeks in jail in summer of 2018, but was eventually freed. But on December 7, a higher court overruled the release and ordered him to be remanded into custody pending trial again.

At the time the court announced the verdict, Kocharyan turned himself in to authorities.

Kocharyan is charged for ‘overthrowing constitutional order’ during the 2008 post-election unrest, when clashes between security forces and protesters left 10 people dead, including two police officers, during his final days as president.

He vehemently denies wrongdoing.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan