Alen Simonyan, the Speaker of Armenia’s National Assembly, has stirred controversy after revealing that his sister-in-law, Ani Gevorgyan, was compelled to plead guilty in an embezzlement case in order to move the judicial process forward and defuse mounting tensions.
Report informs, citing an interview with Zhoghovurd newspaper, that Simonyan acknowledged that the decision to plead guilty was made deliberately by his brother’s family in hopes that it would allow the investigation to progress.
"Yes, you’re right. My brother’s family chose this path so that the investigation could continue in the future," Simonyan said. He also cast doubt on the likelihood of a conviction, suggesting that the case—like others marred by investigative missteps—might ultimately collapse in court.
Simonyan’s remarks raise significant concerns regarding the independence and professionalism of Armenia’s law enforcement institutions. The suggestion that a guilty plea was made out of necessity rather than genuine accountability points to broader issues within the legal system. It also appears to contradict the anti-corruption agenda publicly championed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who has vowed to restore integrity and transparency across all branches of government.
The controversy is reminiscent of a broader pattern involving high-profile figures in Armenia. In January 2024, a criminal case was launched against Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan, several ministry officials, and private sector representatives. The charges involved alleged embezzlement of public funds under a government-backed orchard development program, as well as obstruction of fair competition in public tenders.
While six out of eight individuals were later cleared through a process of “active repentance,” both Minister Kerobyan and Synergy company director Ashot Hovhannisyan refused to admit guilt.
