Shahramanyan backs return of misappropriated public funds

PanARMENIAN.Net - President of Artsakh Samvel Shahramanyan met with demonstrators outside the Artsakh Representative Office and stated his full support for returning any funds misappropriated from the people.

“I was summoned for questioning as a witness. At that time, electronic storage devices from the Investment Foundation were seized. The authorities know precisely how every dram was spent in that foundation. Several state officials, including the foundation’s director, have been questioned within this criminal case. Recently, we urged law enforcement to intensify actions in this regard,” Shahramanyan said, as reported by Sputnik Armenia.

Responding to calls for him to participate in the protest, Shahramanyan said it was not necessary, as it was a civil initiative. He expressed his approval of public oversight over law enforcement and hoped this would lead to concrete outcomes.

He reminded participants that they had previously requested authorization from him to establish an NGO, which he supported and facilitated. However, none of the organizers ever returned to collect the letter of attorney.

Shahramanyan rejected claims that the authorities had been inactive, emphasizing that all those wishing to meet him had been given the opportunity, both inside and outside the representative office. According to him, various concerns — both immediate and long-standing — have been addressed during those meetings.

Protest organizer Artur Osipyan said that some questions raised by the public had received inadequate answers. He stressed that citizens want direct, public responses from Shahramanyan.

Osipyan also questioned the termination of the “40+10” social assistance program and asked what actions the Artsakh government is taking in this regard.

Shahramanyan clarified that after the forced displacement in 2023, responsibility for all social issues was assumed by the Armenian government.

“We have no authority to influence, design, or approve these decisions. I share your concerns, but we’re unable to act. We’ve used all available resources and declared the people are in an extremely dire situation. We also warned that discontinuing the 50,000-dram payments could leave many homeless,” he explained.

He added that the only way to influence the Armenian authorities is through public pressure and saw no alternative.

In response, Osipyan proposed setting a date and time to jointly visit the Prosecutor General’s Office.

“Let’s go together. We’ll stand outside while you go in. If they don’t let you in, we’ll know you tried. If they do, go in and say the people demand answers regarding the stolen funds,” Osipyan said.

Shahramanyan agreed and said he’s ready to accompany citizens to both the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Investigative Committee. He suggested they send him a list of those willing to participate and raise their concerns.

It was agreed that on April 21 at 10:00 a.m., Shahramanyan will meet with the organizing group to discuss the next steps together.

Demonstrators gathered outside the Artsakh Representative Office demanded Shahramanyan’s intervention in resolving social issues and urged the prosecution to help recover funds they claim were embezzled by 48 families in Artsakh — totaling $467 million. According to the protesters, these funds were allocated by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. At the start of the protest, they also urged Shahramanyan to visit the Prosecutor General’s Office to find out the status of the criminal case launched 1.5 years ago.