Eduard Sharmazanov: Corruption exists in upper echelons as well (video)
Lyova Khachatryan, Head of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), faction does not know any mechanism that can make the government led by PM Karen Karapetyan accountable if they also fail in their activity. “No one has been punished in our country for the outright robbery to this date. What is one supposed to do if he fails to implement the program? Surely, he will hand in resignation.” Criminal liability for Karen Karapetyan and his government is excluded. Failure to implement a program is not a criminal crime. But he can be forbidden [by law] to hold a public office for his failure. “All violations that have been committed and continue to be committed are perhaps permitted…” “Why should a government that has failed in its program be made accountable?” asks Republican lawmaker Vardan Ayvazyan. “For illegal enrichment, for example…” In reply to our observation, Mr. Ayvazyan said, “Is the government to blame for its riches? We have created that structure.” Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly Eduard Sharmazanov admits that there is corruption in the country and it exists in the upper echelons. “If I stand and declare that there are no officials in our country who became rich in a dishonest way… I do not have concrete facts but I cannot deny it either.” Mr. Sharmazanov says we should not speak about the fight against corruption, rather, we should gradually move ahead. “No, I am far from corruption.”
