The “Zhoghovurd” newspaper has reported that Artak Poghosyan will assume the role of chairman of the constitutional committee in February 2023. Poghosyan was previously the mayor of Yerevan, a position he held since June 22, 2018. Recently, he was appointed as the deputy mayor of Yerevan, responsible for overseeing the city administration’s operations.

It has come to light that Poghosyan received a loan of $230,000 from Bank Sanosyan, with an interest rate of 38 million 459 thousand drams. The chairman of the constitutional committee currently has a remaining loan balance of 10 thousand euros and 580 thousand drams, along with cash assets amounting to 12 thousand euros.

According to Artak Poghosyan’s annual report, his total income for the year was 57 million 755 thousand drams, out of which 21 million 275 thousand drams constituted his salary from the Armenian government. In 2021, Poghosyan purchased a new car, a 2020 Lexus.

In accordance with tax legislation norms, Poghosyan received 1 million 906 thousand drams as compensation for property damage from the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Armenia, and he also obtained a loan of 34 million 573 thousand drams from VTB Bank Armenia. During the reporting period, he repaid loans amounting to 3 million 480 thousand drams, and incurred expenses of 11 million 550 thousand drams for the repair of non-fungible assets.

Additonally, Artak Poghosyan’s wife, Naira Darbinyan, is employed as an expert in the staff of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, with a salary of 3 million 671 thousand drams. She has been working in the Prime Minister’s staff since 2022. This is yet another example of how the principle of “meritocracy-good connections-friendship” plays a significant role within the government structure, as officials move around within the system.

For more detailed information, please refer to today’s issue of the newspaper or visit NEWS.am on Telegram for updates on news from Armenia.