Famous musician Serj Tankian and director Atom Egoyan issued statements on the case of Armenian former foreign minister Vartan Oskanian.
In a statement Serj Tankian stressed that Oskanian’s persecution is politically motivated adding that Civilitas Foundation received funds from the Huntsman Building Products in 2011, while persecution against Oskanian started only in 2012 when he returned to politics.
He said the foundation created by Oskanian carried out great work in Armenia and did everything for Armenia through diplomatic efforts abroad.
In his turn Atom Egoyan labeled Oskanian as an outstanding political figure, stressing the Civilitas Foundation contributed to establishment of open and public debate in Armenia. He also called on attorney general to take into account consequences of groundless accusations against former FM.
As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, on May 25 the NSS Department of Investigation filed a criminal lawsuit on charges of money laundering with respect to The Civilitas Foundation (founded by Oskanian).
The NSS press center had informed that an investigation is underway in connection with selling the 100-percent shares of the Huntsman Building Products Company for around US$ 2 million, but not informing Armenia’s tax authorities about this business deal; not using for charitable purposes $1,135,000 of that amount envisioned for charity; transferring this amount to the bank accounts opened under the names of The Civilitas Foundation’s founder - former FM and currently Prosperous Armenia Party MP - Vartan Oskanian, and of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees member Tigran Karapetyan; and using some of this amount for private purposes.
In addition, according to the NSS press center, The Civilitas Foundation had not presented a report on the $2 million allocated for charitable purposes. In his turn, Vartan Oskanian considers the charges are politically motivated.
Civilitas was founded in 2008 by former foreign minister Vartan Oskanian. After joining Prosperous Armenia Party ahead of the May 6 parliamentary elections, Oskanian gave up his post as a foundation chairman.
