April 26, 2012 - 12:13 AMT
Paper: ex-speaker's relative kills a 3-year-old in car accident

3-year-old Alen Simonyan died in a fatal car accident in Armenia's Mkhchyan village on April 22.

According to Haykakan Zhamanak paper, the driver was identified as daughter of Arsen Abrahamyan, Ararat police department head and nephew of ex-speaker of Armenian parliament Hovik Abrahamyan.

Arsen Abrahamyan stated this personally on April 25 refuting the rumors he allegedly helped his daughter Alla avoid responsibility.

“How can this be true? I’m the one to ensure the rule of law in this province,” police chief said adding that preliminary investigation is underway, while his daughter is released on a written statement not to leave the place.

“She’s having hard times ... she’s seeing a psychologist now. It is a tragedy. I’ve grown up in this village, and I know these people, they are our neighbours,” Abrahamyan said.

“I’d like the people to perceive this incident properly, and the problem of my daughter is another issue to be settled,” the paper quotes him as saying.