Interfax, Russia
June 13 2012
Ex-Armenian foreign minister says he is suspected of money laundering
YEREVAN. June 13
Former Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian has claimed that the
National Security Service summoned him to give testimony on money
laundering charges.
The ex-minister said in a statement that the matter involves the
Civilitas foundation that he leads now.
“Since the start of the foundation’s activities in 2008, we have
received financing from and pursued a joint program with the
governments of the Netherlands, Poland, Norway and Germany, the U.S.
embassy to Armenia, and the Yerevan office of the OSCE. The relevant
Armenian institutions could not have failed to know this. It is
strange that my activities could be somehow associated with criminal
or illegal proceeds,” Oskanian said.
“The criminal case that has been opened is politically motivated,” he said.
Interfax could not immediately obtain comments on the matter from the
Armenian National Security Service.