August 2, 2026 (transcript of a parliamentary speech originally delivered in Armenian; video published by Yerevan Today on YouTube)
“Dear citizens, those who have held the position of Speaker of Parliament from the Civil Contract party have undergone certain transformations. I would like to delve a little deeper into this and understand, Mr. Rubinyan, from what point you started and where you will end up.
Ararat Mirzoyan once spoke of his financial difficulties, of being denied credit to purchase a television. Today, he walks about in a Brunello Cucinelli vest worth several million drams. In Yerevan, near the Red Cross, he is acquiring a mansion — this is from his declaration.
Now, I see no issue with a high-ranking official of the Republic of Armenia — and that includes you, Mr. Rubinyan — presenting themselves with dignity, as they represent the state. However, the question arises: how do these transformations take place? Similar questions have also emerged regarding former Speaker of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan. His property transactions have become a matter of public discussion.
Now let us turn to you, Mr. Rubinyan. You have stated that since late 2021, you have been a member of the negotiation group with Turkey — this is well known. In 2022, Haybusiness Bank was acquired by a Swiss company, and the state became a 25% equity shareholder. The press has speculated that this is linked to Konstantin Sokolov. Today, Sokolov has entered our Armenian life, our Armenian reality. I will note an interesting fact: Ruben Rubinyan’s brother is today the First Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Amio Bank CJSC and Chief Business Development Director, as well as a member of the board.
Here is an interesting point: is there not a conflict of interest in the Central Bank being an equity shareholder in a commercial bank? In other words, how can the Central Bank go and audit this company? But I will set that aside and continue, as I have much more to say.
In 2023, Mr. Rubinyan, MTS Armenia submitted an application to purchase from some offshore-registered auto dealer — I apologize for the phrasing, as this individual, if I am not mistaken, is a certain 50-year-old Manolis Tarkhanadis from Cyprus, who was engaged in car trading but wished to acquire a mobile operator in Armenia. They were refused on national security grounds.
However, in 2024, when Fedilco Limited — whose beneficiary is also Konstantin Sokolov — appeared, they acquired the assets. And here is an interesting development: following the deal, Levon Rubinyan was appointed to the management board of Viva Armenia.
Next, we see that the Hrazdan Cement plant is owned by Amio Bank. Citizens, this is a commercial organization with state participation — the state should have managed it directly. It is heading toward bankruptcy, and there is state involvement here because it belongs to Amio Bank, where Levon Rubinyan is present.
The next notable transaction: Rostelecom is acquired, Viva Armenia is acquired. Two major operators are being purchased, and on the management board of the very same Viva Armenia sits Levon Rubinyan.
Is this normal?
Furthermore, the same Sokolov was appointed chairman of the TRIPP fund. There is also information that he acquired a stake in our mining giants.
We have identified four critical sectors: finance, infrastructure, mining, and telecommunications. For any state, these are sectors of strategic and defense significance — and in Armenia’s case, they are of particular importance to Turkey. And here the question arises: the TRIPP project manager Sokolov, with Turkey being the largest beneficiary of these projects, on one hand — and on the other hand, the brother of Armenia’s chief negotiator with Turkey is deeply involved in these processes.
Is this strange or not?
Mr. Rubinyan, I will speak honestly: I have tried to understand where Alen Simonyan and Ararat Mirzoyan started and where they have ended up. At this point, I cannot even identify your starting point. And it creates the impression that Alen Simonyan and Ararat Mirzoyan are small fish compared to you. You are the octopus of the Civil Contract — that is the impression I get, a sea monster. And this is not personal — it is a political assessment.”
