ARMENIAN MP INSISTS ON BRIBERY OF JUSTICE MINISTER BY ARMENTEL

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 20. ARMINFO. The developments around the
telecommunications monopolist in Armenia, Armentel company, is a
complete farce and fraud, Leader of the party Bloc of National
Democrats, MP Arshak Sadoyan said at a press-conference at the
Discussion Club “Azdak,” Saturday.

He said that the statement of Justice Minister David Haroutiunyan that
the resolution of London Arbitration has not been applied in Armenia
as it could cause $300 mln damage is an evident lie. Sadoyan once
more levered harsh criticism at the activity of ArmenTel, pointing
out that in the course of its activity ArmenTel caused $170 mln damage
to the country’s economy. At the same time, the Government singed an
anti-people agreement with the company, hereby confirming that it has
no financial claims to it. Arshak Sadoyan again accused the justice
minister of protecting ArmenTel’s interests, bringing the fact that
the minister prevented the inter-department commission from adopting
the decision on imposition of $150 mln fine on ArmenTel.

Besides, Sadoyan said that David Haroutiunyan signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with ArmenTel in the Athens. If the Memorandum came into
effect, it would cause $150 mln damage to the country. The Memorandum
was not put into effect only due to the efforts of the Communications
Minister of that time, Eduard Madatyan, who was released from his
post after, Sadoyan said. He said that the Government’s statements
that it can appeal to London Arbitration in case of need does not
correspondent to reality. According to data of Arshak Sadoyan, London
Arbitration has recently informed the Armenian Government that it has
no intention to consider the claim against ArmenTel. In his opinion,
the Government will start the process of deprivation of ArmenTel of
its monopoly for the telecommunications in the nearest future.

Sadoyan said that in private conversation with him, ex-head of
ArmenTel, Nicos Georgoulas, and other officials of the company stated
that they were bribing several members of the Armenian Government in
the course of their activity. “I have also information that before
the beginning of one of the trials of the Government against ArmenTel,
an unknown handed over a case full with money to Justice Minister
David Haroutiunyan. The latter left the court and then the court
made a resolution in favor of ArmenTel,” Sadoyan said. He added that
well-informed sources informed him that as a result of the last deal of
the Government and ArmenTel, a plenipotentiary representative of the
Armenian Government snatched a large sum at some $5-$7 mln. Sadoyan
said that he has video records telling about secret deals of the
Armenian Government and the monopolist. However, he refused to make
them public not to endanger his life and the lives of those people.

At the request of ARMINFO, Press-Secretary of the Justice Minister Ara
Saghatelyan commented on the aforementioned statements of the deputy,
calling Sadoyan’s behavior groundless. “I think Arshak Sadoyan needs
assistance of the specialists of definite profile. He needs a qualified
assistance,” Saghatelyan said.