Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has publicly questioned the origins of the vast wealth accumulated by former president Robert Kocharyan, accusing him of engaging in systemic corruption during his time in office.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the Prime Minister made these remarks during a briefing held following a government meeting on Thursday.
"No one is asking the question: Where did these billions come from in Robert Kocharyan's possession? He claims: 'We were engaged in business.' Who are they fooling? Are they such successful businesspeople, while we cannot confiscate anything from anyone? Is having a personal stake in 'Toyota Yerevan' considered business activity? Is seizing land in the center of Yerevan and selling it for 20-30 times the purchase price considered business?" Pashinyan stated.
The Prime Minister further emphasized that dismantling these corruption schemes remains a critical priority for his administration. "Both Robert Kocharyan, Serzh Sargsyan, and Gagik Tsarukyan should live on their legal pensions and legal incomes. Whatever was obtained illegally must be returned to the state and its people down to the last penny! There is no other option. If this does not happen, it means a new revolution must take place," Pashinyan emphasized.
Context: The political rivalry between Nikol Pashinyan and his predecessors, including Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, has been a defining feature of Armenian domestic politics since the 2018 "Velvet Revolution." Pashinyan's administration has frequently utilized anti-corruption rhetoric and legal proceedings against former officials to consolidate political support and address public grievances regarding wealth inequality and state capture that characterized the previous regimes.
