Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
To clarify the position of foreign players and understand the disputes over the situation inside power in Armenia, we should remember the events which happen 5 years ago. On March 1st, 2008, the authorities gave the order to fire on a peaceful demonstration of people who were dissatisfied with the results of the presidential elections. Nobody has been punished for the crime yet, even though 10 people were killed and more than 200 were hurt. The world powers reacted calmly to the crime committed by the Armenian leadership. Probably, they expected some benefits from the vulnerable Armenian authorities. However, they could confuse promises given to foreign players, considering constant pressing by Russia, Washington, and Brussels.
In this context “the offshore scandal” which began in Armenia should be considered. Even though the authorities tried to hush it up, it caused a wide public reaction. On May 28th the online media Hetq.am published the scandalous article headlined “Who seized Pailak Ayrapetyan’s property? The offshore trinity.” The article says that the offshore company WLISPERA HOLDINGS LIMITED which is registered in Cyprus by Ashot Sukiasyan and deals with diamond business is involved into seizure of businessman Ayrapetyan’s property. Along with Sukiasyan, the shareholders of the company are Premier Tigran Sarkisyan and the head of Ararat Eparchy of the Armenian Apostle Church Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan. Due to Sarkisyan’s support, the bank Ameria gave a credit of $10.7 million for diamond production; the credit wasn’t used for the planned goal, but the offshore company which belonged to Sarkisyan received $350 thousand. It can be considered as a payment for help to the other shareholder of the company – dishonest businessman Sukiasyan – to get the credit money.
After the publication, Sarkisyan and Kchoyan stated that they had nothing in common with the company registered on Cyprus. Premier addressed to the General Prosecution for investigation. Later businessman Sukiasyan who was wanted by the police sent a letter to Hetq.am and the General Prosecuation and stated that Premier Sarkisyan and Archbishop Kchoyan didn’t know that the company on Cyprus was registered in their names: “I registered the company without their agreement. I made it to protect my business from various invasions. I didn’t realize this step could have consequences.” The Armenian authorities who got used to impunity replied at the scandal that Sarkisyan wouldn’t be dismissed.
However, the authorities and pro-government mass media which promoted the legend that the premier didn’t know about the company were shocked when on June 27th the same website published continuation of the detective story with new details, referring to the official website of the Cyprus Companies Register.
Moreover, the general prosecutor of Cyprus Petros Clerides stated that in his country it would be impossible to register an offshore company without an agreement of one of its shareholders.
Who benefits from the uncovering? The powerful media Hetq.am is financed by the Western funds. Why is Sarkisyan the target? It seems directors of the offshore scandal considered that his government didn’t fulfill the program for 2008-2012, in 2009 deep economic depression was registered in Armenia, minor and medium business appeared in the most negative and difficult situation, the number of the poor grew under Sarkisyan’s rule, and so on. The Control Chamber’s report confirmed that Sarkisyan’s Cabinet not only failed to provide economic development, but also spent budget resources ineffectively. The weak link principle has worked clearly in the story.
At the same time, the Armenian authorities continue to pretend that nothing has happened. It seems they believe Armenia is an island separated from the rest of the world. Meanwhile, Hetq.am has stated that publications to be continued…
