YEREVAN. – In connection with US Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern’s statement issued with respect to the criminal case opened against former FM and Prosperous Armenia Party MP Vartan Oskanian, ruling Republican Party Spokesman and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov had said: “The ambassadors themselves likewise must refrain from politicizing the legal matters in Armenia and linking them to elections,” 168 Zham reports.

“To 168.am’s written question: ‘Don’t you think Mr. Heffern’s statement is an interference in Armenia’s domestic politics?’, the US Embassy in Armenia’s Department of Public Relations responded: ‘Ambassador Heffern’s statement is about the US Government efforts aimed at encouraging the securing of the rule of law in Armenia.  

We work closely with the Armenian government in this domain. We welcome the Government of Armenia’s attention shown to judicial reforms and stand ready to discuss the issues that give rise to concern,’” 168 Zham writes.