Armen Sargsyan violated the RA Constitution and the RA Law on Citizenship

As we have reported earlier, Armen Sargsyan, candidate for the fourth president of Armenia, was a citizen of Great Britain. Armen Sargsyan was registered in Westminster, London with his wife Nune Sargsyan and his sons Vardan and Hayk Sargsyans. This was confirmed by Sargsyan himself, stating that the British citizenship was required for his business/official trips.

Hasmik Petrosyan, public relations officer for Sargsyan’s office informed Sut.am that the presidential candidate had a dual citizenship during 2002-2011: he was a citizen of both Republic of Armenia and Great Britain.

It should be noted, however, that the RA Law on Citizenship adopted on November 6, 1995 by the RA National Assembly defines that a citizen of the Republic of Armenia cannot be simultaneously a citizen of another state. The same was clearly prohibited in the Article 14 of the RA Constitution (1995).

This ban was lifted by the Constitutional amendments in 2005, whereas the ban on dual citizenship was lifted by the RA Law on Citizenship in 2007. In other words, until March 24, 2007, Armenian citizens were banned from being simultaneously citizens of another state.

Thus, Armen Sargsyan violated the RA Law on Citizenship and the RA Constitution by illegally being a citizen of both Republic of Armenia and Great Britain for five years (2002-2007) simultaneously.

In addition, Armen Sargsyan, at assuming the post of Ambassador, violated the RA Law on Public Service and he did not submit his declaration on asset and income to the Commission on Ethics of High-Ranking Officials of Armenia. This issue was voiced by a number of NGOs.

It should be reminded that as per Article 123 of the Constitution of Armenia (2015) the President is the head of State and shall observe the compliance with the Constitution.