
Armenian Prime Minister’s spouse Anna Hakobyan has announced the end of her marriage to Nikol Pashinyan, stating she is leaving the government residence and will live in a rented apartment.
In a video posted on Facebook, Hakobyan said she had previously indicated that her civil marriage was ending, as they have no other form of marriage.
She also attached a written statement to the video, declaring that the matter is not open for discussion with her.
Hakobyan said she owns neither a car nor a house, and that the jewelry and items she received as donations, as well as expensive clothing, will be left to the state.
“I do not have a home. The house we purchased through a loan has been bought, but the building is still under construction. Therefore, I am moving to a rented apartment. If they say I am a dollar millionaire, that I have accounts in offshore dollar zones, mansions and so on, I consider it necessary to state that my bank account contains money remaining from the sale of a house. I do not remember the amount, because I have never been interested. Some funds have been spent for personal purposes. My card also contains accumulated money from my salary at the ‘My Step’ foundation and from income tax refunds,” she said in the video.
Hakobyan also stated that she will continue working as executive director of the “My Step” foundation because it is paid employment, which she “very much needs.” She did not rule out that a criminal case could be initiated against her in her capacity as executive director of the foundation.
“It is life, perhaps such a development is possible. What can we do? We will live and see,” she said.
“I inform all my friends, acquaintances—known and unknown—relatives near and far, and even my closest people that this topic is not subject to discussion with me. I am placing a ban on it. I also urge you, dear people, not to waste much time ‘weighing’ this issue. It will become an idle occupation—useless and fruitless.
We heard, we recorded, we move on,” she wrote alongside the video.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, for his part, wrote on his Facebook page that he respects Anna’s decision.
“I treat Anna’s decision with respect. Over the past 30 years, during all my difficult days, she has been by my side, my support and pillar. I am not sure whether I have been that for her. Perhaps I have caused more bitterness, for which I apologize,” he wrote.