On December 3, Petros Ghazaryan hosted Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutyan. The interview was titled “A Story of a Kamaz”. Petros Ghazaryan, who always asks sharp questions, was passive this time. Although the main accents of Tsarukyan-Marutyan distant debate over the sheiks’ disappointment and illegal construction permit, were voiced, Tsarukyan’s point of view was not presented at all. Hayk Marutyan spoke in detail about the meeting with the sheikhs, confirming that the meeting with them was interrupted because they, according to Hayk Marutyan, had violated ethics, had regularly spoken on the phone, interrupted the mayor’s speech, and were not dressed properly. It was supposed that the next day Petros Ghazaryan’s guest would be the PAP leader to ensure the completeness and balance of the topic, while on December 4 Petros Ghazaryan’s hosted Minister Zaruhi Batoyan.
Regarding the Kamaz trucks’ issue, which became a reason of hot discussions, Petros Ghazaryan called it “operation of Kamaz trucks” and asked: “The whole city knows that Alex Holding belongs to Samvel Aleksanyan. How you do not know that it was donated by Mr. Aleksanyan, therefore, there is a hidden thing here, and you didn’t want to say it, so the opposition did it instead of you. ” The mayor replied: “Three of the 20 Kamaz trucks were donated by Alex Holding LLC, the director of which, I do not remember the name and surname, is the only shareholder is someone, who, in fact, is not Samvel Aleksanyan and I as a mayor I have no right to announce.” Petros Ghazaryan continued, “And may there be hidden corruption risks here? As the person donates, but his name is mediated.” The mayor did not answer the question. It was expected that Petros Ghazaryan would ask the mayor about the pre-election promises, but no questions were raised, even when the mayor mentioned that the city is clean.
“Media Advocate” Initiative regularly states that the Public Television of Armenia is manipulating. Important issues that are a subject of public discussions are presented in a way favouring the authorities. Journalistic principles are ignored.
