ArmInfo. The Special Investigative Service of Armenia has not yet opened a criminal case regarding the accusations voiced by the former deputy Defense Minister Vahan Shirkhanyan against the second president of the Republic of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, made public in his open letter.
SIS Spokesperson Marina Ohanjanyan told ArmInfo that the case has not been opened yet, but the Special Investigative Service is preparing materials regarding one of the accusations voiced by Shirkhanyan, namely, regarding the "falsification of the presidential elections of 1998". "Consideration of all other charges against Kocharyan, voiced by Shirkhanyan, is beyond the competence of the SIS," explained Ohanjanyan. She also confirmed information about the interrogation of Shirkhanyan as part of investigative measures. "Unfortunately, I cannot give any other details", Ohanjanyan noted.
To note, in his open letter to Robert Kocharyan, Shirkhanyan, in particular, wrote: "March 30, 1998, the second round of presidential elections is underway. 27 percent of the votes are cast for you, solely thanks to Vazgen Sargsyan (Armenian Prime Minister, who was killed during the terrorist attack in the RA parliament on October 27, 1999, ed. note). However, you "turned" these 27% to 59% and proclaimed yourself President of Armenia. And you "generously gave" 41% to Karen Demirchyan, who in fact received 73% (later the speaker of parliament, who also died during the terrorist attack, ed. note) promising him the post of prime minister, at the request of Vazgen Sargsyan. And, of course, you have deceived, as always.In the letter, Shirkhanyan accuses Kocharyan of political assassinations, sabotage, corruption, an attempt to exchange Meghri for Lachin and even implicitly hints about his involvement in the October 27, 1999 terrorist attack. It should be noted that Kocharyan is currently arrested on charges of overthrowing the constitutional system in the March 1, 2008 case. Money laundering charges were also filed against members of the Kocharyan family. It is possible that his accusation will be supplemented with new episodes, in particular, of rigging the elections, if the remaining charges of Shirkhanyan are not considered by the relevant structures.