Court declines Yerevan mayor`s claim against Civilnet

ArmInfo. The court rejected the claim of Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan against Civilnet, finding his request for a state fee exemption for filing a claim unfounded.

The mayor justified his request by saying that the state fee of 150 thousand drams is large and could negatively affect his financial situation and the well-being of his family.

"If I pay the fee when filing a claim, it will create serious  financial difficulties for me and my family. In addition, due to the  illegal actions of third parties, I will actually be deprived of the  opportunity to manage my funds at my own discretion," Avinyan said.

Meanwhile, according to an investigation conducted by Civilnet and its partners, from 2018 to 2021, the Irigate company, owned by Avinyan's family, participated in the state support program as a contractor.  During this period, Avinyan held the post of  vice-premier and was responsible, among other things, for the  agricultural sector.

The mayor of Yerevan described the investigation by Civilnet and the international investigative journalist network OCCRP about the business of his father and brother as slander. Earlier in his lawsuit, he demanded a public apology from Civilnet and compensation in the amount of 3 million drams. Meanwhile, Civilnet did not recognize the mayor's qualifications and believed that there are more appropriate instances for resolving such disputes.

Avinyan had previously promised to reimburse the 20 thousand dollars spent on an air ticket to the United States. Of the nine members of the delegation, only he flew business class. When asked at what expense he planned to recoup these costs, the mayor suggested looking at his income declaration, which last year exceeded 40 million drams. In addition, he declared cryptocurrency, the value of which is currently several hundred thousand dollars. And this is in a situation where Avinyan claims that the amount of 150 thousand drams will affect his family budget.