Argishti Kyaramian, head of Armenia’s Investigative Committee, responded to a media question in parliament on Wednesday about whether he would apologize to the public over the incident, which included an acrimonious exchange with Hovik Aghazarian, a member of the ruling Civil Contract party’s parliamentary faction.
“If the public sees it as a common problem – and I am sure that it does – of course, it’s absolutely no problem for me. Of course, I am ready to apologize to the public if the public sees a problem in any of my actions,” he said.
Kyaramian was addressing a hearing in parliament on October 15, in particular, referring to the investigation into the car business owned by Aghazarian’s son when someone from among pro-government lawmakers made a remark in the chamber, sparking an argument.
Kyaramian further lost his temper after Aghazarian accused him of being disrespectful towards a member of parliament and also claimed that the Investigative Committee tries to bully citizens with unjustified arrests or threats of arrest. Kyaramian responded by declaring that “nobody in Armenia has dared to interrupt or deride” his public speeches.
“If there were such people, it means that I reacted very softly, and my reaction will be felt later,” he added menacingly, prompting a stern rebuke from Andranik Kocharian, a senior Civil Contract parliamentarian who chaired the October 15 hearing. Two other pro-government deputies also criticized Kyaramian.
Regarding Aghazarian’s son, Kyaramian said then that he had been contacted at least twice about the criminal case involving that individual, who is under investigation for alleged violations in running his car importing business.
The Prosecutor-General’s Office told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service on Monday that Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee had launched a criminal probe regarding the claims made by the head of the Investigative Committee. The body is investigating possible attempts at interference in the investigation.
Kyaramian stated today that he can substantiate his claims with facts. He explained that he did not initiate an investigation himself because “not all interferences can be considered criminal.”
As for the initiated criminal proceedings, Kyaramian said that he views it normally, but added that he had not yet been summoned for questioning.
“If there were grounds for initiating criminal proceedings, then I cannot evaluate the criminal proceedings initiated by a partner investigation body in any way,” Kyaramian said.
Aghazarian, meanwhile, said that he was ready to be interrogated and was prepared to give up his parliament seat if it was proven that he had interfered in any way with the investigation into his son’s business activities.