After Anna Akopyan, the wife of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, announced her separation from him, heated discussions began in the Armenian segment of social networks and local media. Some Armenian political analysts called this “Pashinyan's next game.” Others, citing Anna Akopyan's possession of confidential information, called for the seriousness of the event to be taken into account.
Modern.az reports that Anna Akopyan discussed a number of interesting issues in a video statement she released on social media.
She reminded that she lived in a civil marriage with Pashinyan and said, “we do not have any other marriage.”
According to Akopyan, since she is separating from the Prime Minister, she is also leaving the government residence.
She touched upon some facts, citing the spread of rumors among the Armenian public.
According to Anna Akopyan, she does not own a personal house. Since the building where the house she bought on credit is located is still under construction, she is moving to a rented apartment.
“If there is talk about me being a dollar millionaire, having dollar accounts in offshore zones, palaces, etc., I want to state that I have the remaining amount from the sale of the house in my bank account – I don't remember the exact figure, as I never show interest in it; a part of that amount has been spent on personal needs. Additionally, I have funds on my card accumulated from my salary and income tax refunds from the “My Step” Foundation.
I mention this because every time I open the account, I see the amount of 5 million drams. I believe this is enough for me to live on. I do not own a car, and naturally, I will not have state protection. Therefore, if you see me alone on the streets of Yerevan, please do not be surprised and do not insult me, as I have heard enough insults over the past eight years.”
Anna Akopyan stated that she wants to continue her activities as the executive director of the “My Step” Foundation:
“Because this is a paid job that is very important to me. However, I think my desire alone may not be enough.”
A. Akopyan said that the Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia might also bring her to criminal responsibility for some issue as the executive director of the “My Step” Foundation.
“Based on yesterday's conversation between the Anti-Corruption Committee and a journalist, it is also possible that I may be brought to criminal responsibility as the executive director of the "My Step" Foundation. Such is life – events can unfold this way. We shall live and see.”
Later, Anna Akopyan displayed her jewelry in her video address and said:
“I also deem it necessary to show you these jewelry items that I received over the years and which are protocol gifts. By the decision of the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, they were not considered a corruption risk and were handed over to me approximately seven months ago.
I have worn some of them, while others I have not used even once. Of course, I am handing over all these gifts, jewelry, and these clothes, which I consider quite expensive, to the state.
Dear people, in these boxes, there are only my personal clothes and hygiene products, nothing else.”
Akopyan stated that since this video carries a farewell character in a certain sense, there is one particular issue she wants to address:
“The discussion is about the images in which I appeared on various platforms during these eight years in the status of the Prime Minister's wife – images that generated great excitement and criticism. I want to state that throughout this entire period, I had no funds to create a wardrobe – the budget was zero. Literally, I have “juggled” for years to appear different at various events. If any of these images disappointed or angered you, I apologize.
Taking this opportunity, I want to thank the designers for the thousandth time for helping me out of this situation and for collaborating with me.
The collaboration was as follows: for various events, they either sewed clothes for me or provided clothes from their collections; I would wear them and then return them. For this, I am eternally grateful to them. I also apologize once again for any serious blow they might receive due to my image and everything related to it.”
Anna Akopyan has bid farewell to the public as she has now lost the status of the Prime Minister's wife.
“So, goodbye – until we meet again. I don't want to say “I love you all,” because in my opinion, love is shown not by words, but by deeds – with care and attention.
I believe that throughout these approximately eight years, all my actions have been based solely on love and care for you and the state. May God protect us all, may God protect the Republic of Armenia.”
Anna Akopyan later added:
“I inform all my friends — those I know and those I don't, distant and close relatives, and even my dearest people, that this topic cannot be discussed with me. I forbid this matter.
I also urge you, dear people, not to spend too much time ‘grinding and dissecting’ this issue: it will be a futile, useless, and unproductive endeavor. You have heard, you have noted, and we move on.”
A.Gorkhmaz
