The Wings of Unity party, responding to reports that it is financed by various groups, stated that it is not funded by former authorities or oligarchs.
The party said none of the circulating claims correspond to reality and stressed it is ready to present all financial reports.
“At first, the public was told false information claiming that Arman Tatoyan’s campaign was financed by Serzh Sargsyan. Now a new version has appeared in pro-government media alleging that the financing comes from Artur Soghomonyan.
None of these statements correspond to reality.
If anyone truly has grounds to suspect illegal financing of the campaign, all mechanisms envisaged by Armenian law exist — including appeals to the Central Electoral Commission, the Oversight and Audit Service, law enforcement bodies or official inquiries.
National Assembly deputy Vahagn Aleksanyan could also have used those instruments instead of public insinuations and political labeling.
We are ready to answer any question with documents regarding every expenditure item, every source of income and every recipient of funds. Moreover, the party’s financial reports are submitted to the Central Electoral Commission in accordance with the law and are open to the public,” the statement said.
The party noted that the danger of such campaigns lies not only in attempts to discredit political opponents.
“The dangerous aspect is that the presumption of innocence is gradually being replaced by political expediency: first public accusations, then a search for evidence.
First, society is presented with a political label, and only afterward do attempts begin to find confirmation for pre-made conclusions. Unfortunately, such practices have become common not only for the current authorities but also for part of the present opposition. This already reflects not a desire to uncover the truth, but a technology of informational pressure.
I have always opposed such practices regardless of who held power. Together with my entire team, I will continue to do so in the future,” the statement said.
The statement added that the most important thing Armenia needs today is the construction of a genuine rule-of-law state based on respect for people and the law, regardless of who is in power.
“Without this, no change of government will transform the country. Only the surnames of those who consider themselves ‘owners of the state’ will change. Real statehood begins with respect for the law and for people,” the party’s statement said.
The election campaign, which began on May 8, will continue until June 5. June 6 will be a day of silence, while elections will take place on June 7.
