From 11 to 20 July, 2020, the “Media Advocate” initiative followed online media reports on the RA Deputy Prime Minister, Commandant Tigran Avinyan’s personality and activities.
35 leading Armenian news agencies have been monitored. In the specified period, 214 articles were declared, 11 of which were negative, 2 were positive and 201 were neutral.
Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan continues to receive criticism.
It was recently announced that the former co-owners of Ucom company, Yesayan Brothers are buying Beeline Armenia. The press referred to this topic: “According to our information, through the mediation of Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, “Ardshinbank” was “kindly” advised to provide the Yesayans with the necessary money to purchase “Beeline”, otherwise it is not excluded that the mentioned bank may also appear to be engaged in certain criminal cases. As a justification, it was mentioned that it will be a profitable company, and “Ardshinbank” will get its money back in accordance with the schedule. The bank, of course, provides the money, and the transaction, as we have already mentioned, is concluded.”
According to political scientist Karen Kocharyan, coronavirus tests are mainly done on a paid basis։ “I know that there are fixed requirements from the police, I talked to the policemen in the street, who say they have a fixed requirement to fine 20 fine people, to distribute masks. Where do those masks come from? Please ask a question to the Commandant’s Office. I read that more than 130 thousand tests were done, how many of them were done for free? Commandant Avinyan said in the National Assembly that he is not aware of it, they should send a written inquiry. I’m sure you will not get an answer, I suppose they grab money because there are a certain number of tests, I’m sure that it was presented as if the state had spent on them, but 90% of my acquaintances, took the test at their own expense.”
Edgar Arakelyan, a former deputy of the “My Step” fraction of the National Assembly, wrote a post on his Facebook page, referring to the topic of medical masks, and addressing the RA Commandant Tigran Avinyan: “Dear Commandant, are you aware that currently in Armenia, when committing all kinds of meanness and immorality, they refer to your high name? Are you aware that far away from the settlements, in complete desolation, in deep canyons, in the lap of nature, our glorious policemen suddenly appear behind a rock, jump out of a non-service car and fine our citizens who have their masks down, those citizens who drove hundreds of kilometers, who were isolated at home for four months and had an oxygen shortage, you spoil their rest and make them extremely nervous.”
The publication was prepared with the support of “Hayrenik” Development Foundation
