President of Armenia has been informed of the incident with Arsen Avetisyan, the director of Air Armenia Company, who was severely beaten up by the bodyguards of Ruben Hayrapetyan, an oligarch, the head of the Football Federation of Armenia. Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan made such statement in response to the question ArmInfo's correspondent at the Baze annual youth gathering. "The relevant agencies will be consistent in this issue so that the problem is settled within the law. It is a negative phenomenon irrespective of who is behind it," the prime minister said.
"I have no full information of the incident. I have learnt about it from media. However, the president has been informed of the incident and the relevant bodies must be consistent," the prime minister replied saying he condemns such behavior "even if it was demonstrated by a person very close to me."
Earlier ArmInfo reported with a reference to Avetisyan's wife Isabella Melkumyan, saying Arsen Avetisyan, Air Armenia Director General, was confined at the Football Federation of Armenia. She said that Garnik Papikyan, the owner of Taron Avia Company, which Air Armenia owes to, appealed to FFA Head Ruben Hayrapetyan for support. Avetisyan was forecefully taken to the FFA where he was severely beaten up by Ruben Hayrapetyan's bodyguards. Avetisyan was hospitalized with fractures and cerebral concussion.
A few days ago, Air Armenia Company sold 49% of its shares and looked to use the proceeds to re-launch the passenger fights in the main destinations.
Ruben Hayrapetyan is said to have an interest in Taron Avia engaged in freight activity and seeking a license for passenger transportation. It is not the first case when Hayrapetyan, an oligarch and the head of FFA, settles his problems with unlawful methods by means of his personal guard.
The public still remembers the incident when Hayrapetyan's bodyguards beat to death a major of the medical service of Armenia's Armed Forces at one of the tycoon's restaurants. No organization decision making followed that tragic incident. One can only hope that this time the law-enforcement will respond adequately to the beating and kidnapping of the company head.