Arrested former Armenian Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan promises ‘surprises’
Armenia’s former Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan, who is currently under arrest, has answered the questions of several media outlets.
He noted that in any case he would demand an open and public trial, Pastinfo reported.
Tonoyan was arrested on 30 September on charges of “fraud and embezzlement of large sums of money” as part of a criminal probe into supplies of allegedly faulty ammunition to the Armenian army.
"So far, I have exercised restraint in terms of getting involved in political processes, as evidenced by the statements of my lawyers. There will still be opportunities to provide explanations to the public over the 44-day war through the commissions of inquiry to be set up, of course, if their objectivity and impartiality are ensured," he said.
Tonoyan says it is obvious that the completed preliminary investigation did not confirm the uselessness of the missile systems purchased for the Armenian military, because the expertise requested by his lawyers was not conducted. According to him, in case an expertise is conducted, the missiles will prove potent.
Tonoyan also thinks that the desire of authorities to find a “scapegoat” is evident, but he believes “many surprises” are expected in the political field in this respect. At the same time, he described the criminal case brought against him as an attempt to discredit him and the defense system.
"Rest assured that in case of a different outcome of the war, such criminal cases would not have been initiated. Ammunition produced much earlier fell on the enemy's head and destroyed its forces. As I said, I am ready to be held responsible, but only for what I did, not for what I didn't do," the former minister said.