Anti-Corruption Committee chair comments on Anna Hakobyan's fundraising dinners

Chairman of Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee Artur Nahapetyan has stated that neither he nor the committee has any constraints when it comes to investigating potential crimes, regardless of who is involved.

Responding to concerns about fundraising dinners hosted by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s wife, Anna Hakobyan, Nahapetyan said the committee would act on any credible information suggesting corruption. Reports reveal that businesspeople were asked to donate one million drams (about $2,500) to the My Step Foundation during the events.

“We have no constraints whatsoever, including myself. If we receive any information suggesting a potential crime, we will take appropriate action, including launching an investigation in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code,” Nahapetyan told reporters, adding that both the committee and the Prosecutor’s Office monitor media reports for such signs.

When asked why the Committee seemingly turns a blind eye to questionable activities involving ruling Civil Contract party members while actively pursuing cases against opposition figures, Nahapetyan noted that he had only been in office for a month and couldn’t speak to past actions.