The second president of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, does not consider himself guilty, and says the charge against him has nothing to do with reality. He state about this at Tuesday’s Yerevan court hearing on the criminal case against him and former deputy prime minister Armen Gevorgyan, who is now an MP of the opposition “Armenia” Faction in the National Assembly of Armenia.
Kocharyan emphasized that he does not know businesswoman Silva Hambardzumyan, and the charge against him has absolutely nothing to do with the powers of the president.
He reminded that according to the law in force at that time, the President of Armenia had no authority to sell licenses, and no agreement was required for the sale.
"It's just ridiculous. I do not know what to defend myself from. The accusation is based on one person's imagination. It is not clear why the prosecutor's office accepted such accusations as a basis," the second president said, adding that there is nothing in the case about such an agreement.
"I have been president, and I have never dealt with such issues," Kocharyan emphasized.
"This is a classic example of a political order," Kocharyan said, repeating what had been said earlier.
The accusation appeared at the last moment so that the investigation could seize the property, as the Criminal Code article on violation of the constitutional order did not imply material accountability.
"This is a political order, an absurdity, which has nothing to do with reality," Robert Kocharyan concluded.
Along the lines of the abovementioned criminal case, Robert Kocharyan and Armen Gevorgyan are charged with taking bribes—and based on the respective testimony of businesswoman Silva Hambardzumyan.
