During a special parliamentary session, opposition Armenia bloc MP Agnesa Khamoyan harshly criticized Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan’s motion to prosecute MP Artsvik Minasyan, calling her “the first and only prosecutor in the Third Republic whose report alone launched a criminal case.” According to Panorama.am , Khamoyan added, “Congratulations—you’re both a prosecutor and an investigator.”

Khamoyan argued that the criminal case lacks legal merit and serves political interests. She pointed out the implausibility of the accusations, noting that Minasyan was appointed environment minister on September 27, 2016, and allegedly received the incriminating package the very next day. “Do you expect us to believe that a minister involved in criminal ties was appointed only 24 hours prior?”

She also accused the prosecutor of selectively quoting Minasyan’s testimony without naming other individuals whose statements formed the basis of the charges. “It appears Minasyan testified against himself,” she said.

Khamoyan further contended that Minasyan had no legal authority to verify the legality of the submitted documents and likened the situation to prosecuting Vardapetyan for failing to independently verify preliminary evidence provided by investigators. She said, “You don't ensure legality in Armenia; you create an illusion of legality for [Prime Minister] Pashinyan.”

She concluded by criticizing the lack of transparency, saying the case hinges entirely on Minasyan’s own statement without sufficient corroboration from others.

Before debating the Minasyan case, Parliament also reviewed a similar motion concerning MP Seyran Ohanyan. Opposition MPs left the session in protest, as Ohanyan was absent due to health reasons.