Armenian ombudsman: Khachik Stamboltsian spreads lies and slander

The Office of Armenia’s Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) responded to the statement of Hovsep Khurshudian, spokesman for the opposition Heritage Party.

Hovsep Khurshudian yesterday made comments on Facebook regarding Khachik Stamboltsian’s statement live on Kentron Television Channel that Human Rights Defender Karen Andreasian talked to him about the HRD-prepared draft law on discrimination, noting that he will be grateful to him if the draft is not adopted as a result of the struggle waged by him.

“Regardless of the contents of the law (which I think is important for the protection of rights of my fellow citizens and must be adopted), if Khachik Stamboltsian lies, then the ombudsman should officially refute his words. But if Khachik Stamboltsian tells the truth, then it appears from this that Karen Andreasian forcedly protects the rights of Armenian citizens so he should resign and accept a quieter job not requiring fortitude,” Khurshudian wrote.

The Human Rights Defender Office made a statement in response: “In order to satisfy Hovsep Khurshudian’s curiosity, we should note that the Staff of the Ombudsman has officially exposed and refuted Khachik Stamboltsian’s lie once in the past. Once and for all, we officially state that Khachik Stamboltsian is spreading lies ad slander about the Ombudsman and the Staff of the Human Rights Defender Office. The only fact which corresponds to reality is that the Ombudsman in reality received Khachik Stamboltsian, just like he receives hundreds of other citizens in connection with various problems”.