During a press conference held today, Andranik Kocharyan, member of the fact-finding group investigating March 1, 2008 incidents, said that only during the March 19 session had they become aware of the request on giving commission members 9-day leave permits. The letter addressed to RA President’s administration was signed by Vahe Stepanyan who headed the group’s activities.
As noted by Kocharyan, group chairman could send such letter to President only after receiving the agreement of all members. “Our demand for clarifying the reasons for group dissolution remained unanswered by Vahe Stapanyan. Next day, he made a telephone call, declaring of his intention not to take part in group’s activities,” Andranik Kocharyan told journalists.
Right after Vahe Stepanyan’s official statement, coalition representatives who were involved in the group’s activities ceased attending sessions. Thereafter President issued a decree on dissolving the group, Kocharyan said. Commenting upon the decree, the speaker further noted that there were many unsettled issues. In particular, it was unclear what the fate of the documents would be and whether group members would have the opportunity to continue their work.
Touching upon the rumors on tense relations among group members, Andranik Kocharyan considered them ungrounded. “I emphasize that the group was set up for investigating facts vs. clearing up personal matters. Tensions rose after policeman Hamlet Tadevosyan’s death circumstances were disclosed,” he stated.
The group, according to Kocharyan, has proven that it is capable of not only collecting facts but also submitting a report that might change the situation.
