Filmmaker Egoyan shocked by charges against Oskanian

PanARMENIAN.Net - Canada-based filmmaker Atom Egoyan, member of the Civilitas Foundation Honorary Board issued a letter in support of former Armenian Foreign Minister and Civilitas founder Vartan Oskanian accused of money laundering.

“I have known Vartan Oskanian for many years, and believe that he is a brilliant statesman, committed to Armenia’s prosperity and well-being. He is a truly international presence, capable of creating important bonds and bringing cherished ideas of democratic reform and free media to a country that is still recovering from over seventy years of Soviet-era control,” Egoyan said.

“With this in mind, I immediately accepted Mr. Oskanian’s invitation to lend my name to the formation of Civilitas. I have watched as this vital organization has helped shape the course of open discussion and debate within a country I cherish and so proud of. This is why I am so shocked and upset by the current charges that have been brought against Mr. Oskanian. The persecution of Vartan Oskanian is a deplorable and politically motivated action which is extremely dangerous to the health of the country.”

“I urge the Prosecutor General of Armenia to seriously consider the consequences of removing Vartan Oskanian’s immunity and to charge him with this trumped-up charge. This action is being watched with great concern by anyone who is concerned with freedom of expression in a truly democratic and modern country,” he said.