Anti-Corruption Committee Chairman Artur Nahapetyan has assured that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has not interfered in any investigations or legal proceedings. Speaking to journalists, Nahapetyan noted that during his tenure, no such instances of interference have been observed.

When reminded by reporters that former Anti-Corruption Committee head Sasun Khachatryan was dismissed via SMS, and asked whether he feared being removed in a similar manner, such as by email, Nahapetyan responded that he had no such concerns, according to “Pastinfo.”

“I have no fears,” he said.

Nahapetyan also emphasized that neither he nor the committee feel constrained in addressing any case, including recent discussions around a dinner allegedly organized by Prime Minister’s spouse Anna Hakobyan with a budget of one million drams. However, he stated that he was not familiar with the specific case in question.

“If we receive information about a crime, either through operational intelligence tools or appropriate grounds, we will initiate proceedings and carry out investigative actions as stipulated by the criminal procedure code, including preliminary investigations,” Nahapetyan said during his briefing with reporters, Pastinfo reported.

Asked whether he saw corruption risks in that particular case, Nahapetyan responded: “I can’t say right now what you are referring to or what incident the question relates to.”

The journalist clarified that it concerned a reportedly mandatory dinner costing one million drams, now allegedly at higher prices, and asked whether this might indicate corruption. Nahapetyan replied that both the Prosecutor’s Office and the Committee regularly monitor such cases, including reviewing media reports.

“If we find any concrete data indicating a crime, we definitey launch proceedings accordingly,” the ACC Chairman stated.