Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) rapporteur for the monitoring of Armenia, Axel Fischer (Germany EPP/CD), today, October 11 expressed his concern about the lifting of the parliamentary immunity of former foreign minister Vartan Oskanian.

“This is especially worrying in the light of persistent allegations that political motives have played a role in the charges that are levied against him,” PACE official website quoted Mr Fischer as saying.

“If substantiated, these allegations would mean a step backwards from the positive trend with regard to political normalization that we have witnessed over the last year and a half. I have therefore written to the Speaker of the National Assembly asking him to clarify the charges, as well as the basis on which the parliament agreed to lift Mr Oskanian’s immunity,” the rapporteur concluded.

The National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia brought a charge against Prosperous Armenia member, former foreign minister Vartan Oskanian October 8.

As NSS spokesman Artsvin Baghramyan said, Oskanian was charged under paragraph 1 of Part 3 of Article 179 of the RA Criminal Code (large-scale embezzlement, punished by 4-8 years of imprisonment with or without confiscation of property) and under paragraph 1 of Part 3 of Article 190 (misuse of illegally obtained large funds, punished by 6-12 years of imprisonment with or without confiscation of property).

On October 2, Armenian National Assembly resolved to strip Prosperous Armenia member, former Foreign Minister Oskanian of deputy immunity with 64 votes for, 6 against and 1 invalid, following two-day discussions over Civilitas Foundation fund misuse charges.