President-elect, Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan participated in the Q & A with the representatives of legislative and executive powers, for the last time yesterday. And so the MPs for the last time had an opportunity to ask questions to Sargsyan as a Prime Minister. Mostly the MPs of the Heritage faction asked questions to Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan and those mainly related to the events of March 1-2. In response to the question of the MP of “Heritage” faction, Zaruhi Postanjyan, whether or not Sargsyan will grant amnesty to the participants of the March 1-2 disorders, the Prime Minister said, “As a political step, I don’t find amnesty expedient. In order to grant someone amnesty it is necessary to conduct a thorough study. If, after disclosing all the circumstances of what happened, I arrive at the conclusion that there is such necessity, amnesty will certainly be granted. If not, no such step will be taken.” He also added that he won’t do it as a mere political step in order to receive a positive assessment from the society. The MP was also interested whether the president elect will grant amnesty to Zhirayr Sefilyan, Vardan Malkhasyan and the chief editor of Zhamanak Yerevan newspaper Arman Babajanyan. According to Postanjyan the above-mentioned three citizens were considered political detainees by the US State Department. “As of now I don’t think we have any political detainees in Armenia. And if the US State Department is the highest tribunal for you, then this is your problem,” responded the Prime Minister. Afterward Postanjyan asked whether or not after taking over the position of the President Sargsyan intends to start an “independent investigation” of March 1 events and grant amnesty. Sargsyan admitted that it is difficult for him to make clarifications three weeks before taking over the position of the President: “It is very difficult for me to speak about my steps. But I would like to inform all the MPs of the National Assembly that inviting international experts or setting up an international committee implies a special procedure envisaged by the UN Charter. If you familiarize yourself with that procedure you will realize whether or not it is expedient to take that step. It will also be helpful for you. As a political step, I don’t find amnesty expedient. In order to grant someone amnesty it is necessary to conduct a thorough study. If, after disclosing all the circumstances of what happened, I arrive at the conclusion that there is such necessity, amnesty will certainly be granted. If not, no such step will be taken. The MP said that she was only curious whether Armenia is going to apply to independent experts for the investigation. “If you are going to apply then what is the point of applying on our part? You are the highest tribunal and your wish will be gratified,” opposed Sargsyan.
