Russian Embassy to Armenia has responded to the statement made by the director of "Analitik.am". The statement of the Embassy particularly reads:
"The Embassy did not plan to respond and give any comments related to the obvious nonsense of the statement made by Director of "Analitik.am" website Ani Hovhannisyan. But as some mass media in violation of all the traditions of journalistic ethics and professionalism have spread this absurd the Embassy has to note the following: First, it is dishonest to speculate on international relations, in order to shift the fault from oneself for a such an obvious crime as blackmailing. It is known that not only MP of the National Assembly Tigran Urikhanyan was victim of Hovhannisyan's blackmail.
Secondly, according to Hovhannisyan's logic the word "agent" used by her to characterize Urikhanyan can be applied to all the MPs and politicians with whom the Embassy maintains contacts and invites to receptions and other events organized in the Embassy. Thirdly, one of obligations of all the employees of the Russian Embassy including the Ambassador is to provide assistance to comprehensive development of relations with the country of residence.
It is not in our practice to spin intrigues, as Hovhannisyan wants to present it. By this the Embassy closes down this topic. We are assured that law enforcement bodies of Armenia will conduct proper investigation on the case and will render verdict according to the law", the statement of the Embassy, received by ArmInfo reads.
To recall, Analitk.am internet website headed by Ani Hovhannisyan was specializing on black PR of various organizations, companies and commercial banks including VTB Bank (Armenia). MP Tigran Urikhanyan was also blackmailed. The MP has told the law enforcement bodies that the director demanded 300,000 AMD monthly, otherwise, she threatened to keep publishing compromising materials. Afterwards, the lawmaker's representative continued the negotiations with the director of the website. They agreed that the required money was to be handed by the 5th day of each month to the director or to her assistant. After the money was handed to the recipient, the assistant to the Analitik.am director, the lawmaker and the manager of the press club were detained on May 3. Later, the director of the website was also detained. After her detention Hovhannisyan decided to present herself as a victim of "Russian aggression". According to some lawyers such defense line may help her to avoid several years arrest and possibly to receive status of political emigrant.