Armenpress

MISS ARMENIA OFFICE DENIES BRIBE ALLEGATIONS

YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS: Karen Aristakesian, director of Miss
Armenia national agency, denied today allegations that the Armenian sponsors
of Anush Grigorian paid 10,000 euros in bribes to judges at a Miss
Intercontinental beauty contest in China last month to help her finish
fourth . In an interview with Armenpress Karen Aristakesian described what
had happened as “a clash of interests.”
“As a judge at Miss Intercontinental beauty contest I voted in favor of
Armenian representative and before the contest and after it I gave no bribes
to anyone and never negotiated it with any of the rest of judges,”‘ he said.
The first report about the incident was published by a local daily Azg, y
which said that the head of the European branch of the World Beauty
Organization has resigned over the allegations. Azg also said Anush
Grigorian has been barred from participation in an upcoming international
beauty contest in Panama. According to Aristakesian, the organizers of Miss
Intercontinental contest in China had demanded that Miss Armenia national
agency give back its licenses and refused also to give the money prize set
for the fourth place and even the band confirming that Anush Grigorian came
forth.
“But even if the licenses had not been demanded back, the agency had no
intentions to further participate in beauty contests organized by the World
Beauty Organization and I told about our intention to some of its
officials,” he said Describing the beauty contest in China as ‘a peculiar”
game, Aristakesian denied Armenian press reports that Anush Grigorian was
banned from further participation in such contests, saying she was
disqualified only from participation in next context due in Panama.