YEREVAN.- Armenia’s Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan is ready to consider whether government’s decision to pay costs of ex-presidential candidate’s treatments is appropriate.

On Thursday Armenian government decided to allocate around $50,000 to the Health Ministry to pay for the costs of ex-presidential contender Paruyr Hayrikyan’s medical treatment to be conducted abroad.   

The decision is not considered a gross violation of the law, Ombudsman said.

“But, if any citizen turns to us to investigate whether the decision was lawful, we are ready to consider the case,” he told reporters.

The decision sparked heated debates in the social networks. It was noted that Hayrikyan had funds to pay an electoral deposit of 8 million drams and also had a team of numerous supporters who could help him instead of taking money from the budget. It was underscored that many children in need of medical treatment abroad do not receive any assistance.