Armenian Chief Compulsory Enforcement Officer Resigns After Alleged Links to Offshore Companies

Mihran Poghosyan, Armenia's Chief Compulsory Enforcement Officer, resigned on Monday following the Panama Papers allegations of ties to offshore companies and Swiss bank accounts. Poghosyan, according to the latest leaks from the Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca, is one of Armenian officials who “has sown deep roots in offshore economic zones. While his companies registered in those zones operate, Poghosyan uses his position to advance his business interests, all the while concealing his income.”

Poghosyan's statement of resignation was published  on the official website of the country's Judicial Acts Compulsory Enforcement Service: “My name has also been mentioned in Armenian and international press in connection with the recent publications on Panamanian offshore dealings. I regret that my name has been listed next to the family of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev who have actually embezzled billions of dollars. I find it unacceptable that my name cause any parallels between my country and the authoritarian Azerbaijan. Therefore, I've  submitted an application for my dismissal from office. I will publicly speak on the offshore claims as a private citizen, without holding onto any official leverage.”