Regarding the recent decision by the RA Special Investigative Service to drop the case against Syunik Regional Governor Suren Khachatryan for slapping her, Silva Hambardzumyan said she was satisfied nevertheless, since the official has apologized.

“He was denying that he slapped me till the very end, but now he’s apologized,” Hambardzumyan said at a press conference.

But she minced no words when she noted that Syunik was governed by a “liar”.

Hambardzumyan said that she had read a number of things in the press about the Syunik Governor, including the fact that he hit a child in his office.

She said it was odd that Gagik Beglaryan, the former mayor of Yerevan, was forced to resign after a similar incident but that nothing has happened to the Syunik governor.

“Maybe we have to work in the presidential palace to get respect and for others to get fired,” Hambardzumyan commented.

The businesswoman noted that this incident would not negatively impact on Armenia’s business image since the country’s reputation in this sector has long since been tarnished.

Hambardzumyan said she is still demanding that Khachatryan return the 102 million AMD worth of equipment she claims he has stolen from her.

She noted that the investigator on the case has given her assurances that the matter would be quickly resolved in her favour.

When asked by a reporter if the whole affair wasn’t a contrived bit of public relations with a hidden political agenda, Hambardzumyan categorically rejected the supposition.

“If I wanted to get into politics, I would have already done so. I’ve been offered the post of minister, but turned it down. I told them to leave me alone,” she responded.