Wednesday, November 20 2013

There is systematic corruption in Armenia and high- ranking officials are on the top of the corruption pyramid, says Levon Zurabyan, Head of the Armenian National Congress Faction in the Parliament.

He addressed reporters on Wednesday recalling that ANC sent a number of corruption-related questions to the Government on 5 November. Particularly, Zurabyan said, nearly $700 million budget embezzlement is recorded every year. This was figured out on the basis of the data of the World Bank, Policy Forum Armenia and other organizations. 

"Adding this figure to the budget revenue embezzlements, we will find out that these robbers pocket up to $2 billion of taxpayers' money every year.  But for this circumstance, Armenia would become a prospering country," the parliamentarian said. In addition, he said, ANC is concerned over the offshore scandal around Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan. Zurabyan said the prime minister still fails to bring any facts to prove that he is not involved in the case.

There were corruption processes connected also with Armavia air carrier that underpaid 7 billion drams to the state budget. In addition, ANC demands the Government to explain corruption in the government procurement system, acquisition of cars by Mihran Poghosyan, Head of Service of Compulsory Enforcement of Criminal Acts, from his own company, as well as corrupt purchase of fuel of Flash Company. 

Zurabyan touched upon the insurance companies that received 10 billion drams from the Government and provided services for some 4 billion drams, the paid parking, speed measurement devices and cameras in the street. Zurabyan said that only one company participated in the tender and 70% of annual incomes (that is $7-$8 billion according to Zurabyan) will be pocketed by privates. Nothing will be submitted to the budget. Zurabyan said the Armenian president's brother is involved in this.  

The last question to the Government indicates at the contradictory property declarations by statesmen.  According to Zurabyan, such wealth is impossible to buy having no incomes besides a salary of a civil servant. ANC's list includes the president, the prime minister, the head of the State Revenue Department Gagik Khachatryan, Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan, Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan, former governor of Syunik Suren Khachatryan and former prosecutor general Aghvan Hovsepyan.

"What has the Government done to expose these criminal practices and punish those guilty?" Zurabyan asked. He is sure that those guilty will hardly ever admit their guilt and leave their posts. Zurabyan thinks that the Government has nothing to do but resort to self-immolation.

By the Government Regulations, the Government is to reply to the written questions within 20 days. On 3 December, the questions will be discussed at the regular four-day meeting of the Parliament.