Lawyer: After resignation Igor Klimko was appointed to higher post

Tigran Atanesyan, the lawyer of the former director general of ArmenTel CJSC Igor Klimko, responded on his Facebook page to media reports about the case being investigated by Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) in connection with abuses by various officials of ArmenTel.

‘The name of ArmenTel’s ex-director general Igor Klimko has been frequently mentioned in the press in recent period in connection with the charges brought against him and the fact that he is wanted due to a criminal case investigated by NSS.

It was mentioned that there was embezzlement at the time when Klmiko was director general, even the sum is indicated – several dozen million drams.

The media hinted at the same time that in late 2012 I. Klimko allegedly, one can say, fled Armenia, hastily resigning from his post. First of all, I should ask the media to observe the principle of presumption of innocence and refrain from unfounded conclusions and attempts to stigmatize people.

In order to protect his interest, I. Klimko consulted me in August of this year. Regardless of all judicial precedents, the NSS Investigation Department and Prosecutor General’s Office persistently refuse to assign me as a lawyer.

Today, on December 18, 2014, the court of Kentron administrative district is to hold a hearing of my complaint, but I. Klimko believes that the Armenian public should know that he resigned from his post in December 2012 by mutual consent with his employer who not only paid his salary, but also helped with transportation of his invenstory to Russia.

It is hard to imagine such an attitude to an official suspected of embezzlement. Besides, after the termination of Klimlo’s powers, the deputy head of VimpelCom - ArmenTel’s owner – issued a statement expressing gratitude to Klimko for his work.  

I should also note that after his resignation Klimko was appointed to a higher post in a South East Asian country.

Klimko is sure that criminal prosecution has nothing to do with him, and if abuses were indeed committed, then the causes and culprits should be sought elsewhere.

As regard the charge, we will address its essence later as it is necessary to receive the procedural documents and understand what is Klimko being accused of”.