‘How Can an Imprisoned Man have Money?’ Sasun Mikaelyan Responds to Allegation of Buying Votes

Sasun Mikaelyan, Armenian National Congress member and losing candidate in this past Sunday’s mayoral election in Hrazdan, nevertheless, is not disappointed with the outcome of the election in Hrazdan. He said this himself while meeting with journalists in Yerevan today.

Mikaelyan is convinced, it’s all the same, “Everything is going to change in this country”.

He also stated that he has expressed his gratitude to the approximately 300 people who stood by him during the election campaign, meanwhile Republican Party of Armenia members, according to him, are scratching their heads wondering how the opposition candidate was able to gather so many votes after they spent so much money buying votes.

Mikaelyan also responded to sociologist Aharon Adibekyan’s statement that both candidates in Hrazdan’s mayoral elections bought votes, which is why Mikaelyan isn’t protesting election results.

“Tell Adibekyan to stop accepting money and discrediting others. How could I have handed out money? How can an imprisoned man have money?” he said.

Recall, Mikaelyan was imprisoned following the violent clashes of Mar. 1–2, 2008, disputing the results of the presidential election. He was released last year along with other imprisoned opposition supporters under a general amnesty granted by the president.