Avoid the mistakes made by Saakashvili. The appeal of the former US ambassador to the RA authorities

The anti-corruption fight in Armenia is being followed by the expert circles that evaluate the past and present anti-corruption fight and their features, reports “Voice of America”. 

“Armenians came out to protest against widespread corruption and inefficient economy in the country,” reports the Secretary of State by 25 US Congressmen. Mike Pompeo addressed letter. International organizations, including Transparency International, have repeatedly warned about widespread corruption in Armenia.

“We have criticized the government for many years. The former authorities did not have the political will to implement changes,” says Sona Ayvazyan, representative of the Armenia office of Transparency International.

One of the important links of corruption in Armenia is the convergence of the oligarchic economic system and the state sector, which operated in the case of about 35 percent shadow economy. The Transparency International report testifies to this. Analyst Ken Yalovitz also highlights the relevance of the problem of convergence.

“Oligarchic business circles and the government were interconnected in Armenia. This is an important issue that should be paid attention to,” says former US Ambassador to Georgia and Belarus Ken Yalovitz.

According to experts, the fight against the corruption of the former authorities was of a formal nature. A vivid example of this is the anti-corruption commission formed by the government, whose activities are considered ineffective by experts.

“The anti-corruption strategy conducted by the previous authorities was not serious. The created anti-corruption commission had a formal character. The anti-corruption body should be free from conflicts of interest,” says Stephen Gauforpe, an expert on anti-corruption.

The new government formed as a result of the Velvet Revolution declared the fight against corruption as its priority, and Prime Minister Pashinyan ruled out any tolerance for corruption. The victory of the revolution is considered as an opportunity for Armenia to establish the rule of law and eliminate corruption.

“The revolution in Armenia is a brilliant opportunity. It was unexpected, but extremely welcome, which emphasizes the will of the citizens in the establishment of democracy and the fight against corruption.”

Recently, the country was shocked by a series of corruption revelations, including developments related to General Manvel Grigoryan, the head of the former president’s security service, Vachagan Ghazaryan, and others. Many criminal cases related to abuse, embezzlement and possession of illegal weapons were initiated. Alexander Sargsyan, the brother of ex-president Sargsyan, was also among those arrested.

“The steps taken by the new authorities against corrupt generals and officials are highly commendable, but it is necessary to do more. It should not become a fight against some figures. It is necessary to carry out serious reforms in the justice and judicial systems, as well as the separation of political and economic spheres,” emphasizes Ambassador Yalovits.

According to Ambassador Yalovitz, it is important to preserve legality and protection of human rights in the fight against corruption. Drawing parallels with Georgia, he called on the new authorities of Armenia to avoid the mistakes made in Georgia.

“Saakashvili’s government began to persecute oligarchs and corrupt figures, but these actions were not accompanied by open, transparent legal processes, but only extorted money from them. They used the judicial system as a means of pressure, as a result of which many people ended up behind bars. I think it was another manifestation of corruption. I will call on the Armenian authorities to avoid it,” the former ambassador says.

He calls for a transparent fight against corruption based on free press and law. In the matter of rooting out corruption, he also attaches importance to serious public support.