Enzel Mkoyan’s life is allegedly in danger
By Anastasia Sokhadze
Tuesday, August 11
According to Tariel Murmanishvili, the lawyer of Enzel Mkoyan and the human rights activist, Ninotsminda-Akhalkalaki majoritarian MP of the Georgian Dream, Mkoyan is being blackmailed, threatened with death to extort $5 million from him. According to the lawyer, Enzel Mkoyan is scared and he demands a meeting with the US ambassador.
Enzel Mkoyan asked his lawyer to make a statement on his behalf. The case concerns threats, blackmail, and extortion. The first incident took place on July 20th, 2020, in the evening. Mkoyan was called on his mobile phone via Messenger. The caller spoke to him in Russian, with a Caucasian accent. Mkoyan said the caller told him to leave politics altogether, otherwise, the person closest to him would be taken away from him.
A few days later, on July 24th, in the evening, the second call was made through Whatsapp, also in Russian. Mkoyan believes that the incoming call was from Moscow, according to the index. He said the caller demanded $5 million.
One of the two callers stated that he has been in prison for 15 years and that if Mkoyan didn't not transfer $5 million to the countries listed on the account numbers provided by the two, they would kill him and go to prison for another 20 years. This caused concern and intimidation.
A few months ago, Mkoyan was attacked during the day, he was shot 3 times but survived. For months, opposition members blamed him for getting into such trouble.
Mkoyan and his lawyer appealed to the prosecutor's office on July 30th. The Samtskhe-Javakheti regional police launched an investigation into the case and questioned the MP two days ago. Mkoyan demands that the case be investigated by the prosecution and wants to meet with the US Ambassador, Kelly Degnan, otherwise, he will request the appointment of protection from the state.
Enzel Mkoyan's name is associated with several high-profile cases, including one of alleged sexual harassment. The last high-profile story took place on March 26th, when Mkoyan and Samvel Petrosyan, a member of the Patriots Alliance, shot each other in Akhalkalaki.
