Azerbaijan’s investigative authorities may also have serious questions regarding the activities of former Armenian presidents Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, Armenian political scientist Artur Aghajanov told APA.
He said that searches had been conducted at the homes of Robert Kocharyan and his elder son since the morning of August 25, and that the former president and his son had been detained.
According to the political scientist, reports later emerged that Kocharyan had been taken to a medical center after his health deteriorated and he developed heart problems.
“At present, there is no precise information as to how accurate this is. More detailed information on the matter will probably be provided later,” Aghajanov said.
The political scientist emphasized that, in addition to Kocharyan, there are reports that six more people have been detained, and that the investigation is also examining large-scale money transfers allegedly carried out in the names of Kocharyan and his son between 2001 and 2019.
“The investigation is examining the circumstances under which money transfers totaling 144 billion drams were carried out. At the same time, the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of more than 30 properties in Armenia and abroad by the individuals involved in the case and their family members are being investigated. These include large enterprises, sports complexes and land plots. The properties may be seized in order to prevent their sale or transfer to other persons,” he noted.
Aghajanov recalled that a day earlier, a heated verbal dispute had taken place in the Armenian parliament between Robert Kocharyan’s son Levon Kocharyan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
“Pashinyan raised the question of how Kocharyan became a millionaire during his 10 years in power. The Prime Minister later stated that illegally acquired property must be returned and that this issue should cover the circles of both Kocharyan and Sargsyan,” the political scientist said.
Artur Aghajanov believes that the investigations into Robert Kocharyan and his circle should be conducted objectively and that the legal grounds for the accusations should be established through the investigation.
“There is a presumption of innocence, and this should not be forgotten. Therefore, it would be wrong to pass judgment in advance. However, if the allegations are proven and a sufficient body of evidence is established, Kocharyan will have to answer for the economic crimes allegedly committed during his time in power. I believe that the investigation will also continue with regard to his son and the people around him,” he emphasized.
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The political scientist said that the issue also has separate legal and political aspects for Azerbaijan. In his opinion, taking into account the roles of both Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan in the Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan’s law enforcement agencies may have questions for the former presidents.
“Azerbaijan’s investigative authorities may also have questions for these two former presidents. Their activities on the territory of Azerbaijan during the period when the Soviet Union collapsed and independence was gained should be assessed separately. The activities of both Kocharyan and Sargsyan, as well as those around them, caused significant political and economic damage to Azerbaijan,” Aghajanov said.
In his opinion, the policies of Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan were for many years among the main factors hindering the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
“They actively participated in separatist processes. It was possible to engage in dialogue with Azerbaijan, reach an agreement on the peaceful return of the territories and prevent a new war. I have repeatedly said that Kocharyan and Sargsyan should have held negotiations with the Azerbaijani leadership and resolved the issue peacefully. But they did not do so. Instead of years of confrontation, it was possible to reach an agreement with Azerbaijan. Therefore, I believe that not only Armenia but also Azerbaijan has serious questions regarding the activities of Kocharyan and Sargsyan,” Aghajanov added.
The political scientist also did not rule out that the processes surrounding former government representatives in Armenia would further intensify the country’s domestic political struggle.
“The situation in the Armenian parliament will be tense. The political struggle is already being observed not only in parliament but also in the religious sphere. I believe the opposition should act more responsibly in the interests of the country and take into account the steps being taken toward normalizing relations with Azerbaijan and Türkiye,” Aghajanov added.
In his opinion, the main strategic issue for Armenia at the current stage is the normalization of relations with neighboring countries.
“More important than what Armenia’s attitude toward the European Union or the Eurasian Economic Union will be is the establishment of normal relations with its closest neighbors. Normalizing relations with Azerbaijan and Türkiye is the course the region needs. Armenia must eliminate the consequences of the mistakes made under previous governments,” Artur Aghajanov concluded.
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