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‘My Son Photographed Man Who Shot Him’: Parents of March 1 Victims Don’t Believe Armenia’s SIS

Jemma Vardumyan, the mother of David Petrosyan, one of the 10 people who died during the tragic events of Mar. 1–2, 2008, doesn’t see anything positive in the fact that within the framework of the criminal case in connection with her son’s death, Armenia’s Special Investigative Service (SIS) is searching for the driver of the white Zhiguli who drove Petrosyan to the no. 2 clinical hospital.

“The SIS is working so well that it began from the color of the car. They work so well that they don’t know who else was in the car that day that took David to the hospital that they’re looking only for the driver. Why aren’t they looking for the other three people who were by my son’s side in the hospital? With this, [Armenian President] Serzh Sargsyan insults mothers,” Vardumyan told Epress.am.

As reported earlier, the SIS asked the driver of the unidentified white Zhiguli, as well as any witnesses, to come forward.

“They’re searching for a white Zhiguli. What moral right do they have to make such an announcement?” said Petrosyan’s mother.

Vardumyan also said that her son photographed the person who shot him, which is why till today his phone is not being returned to the family. “I too don’t know who shot him — I don’t need Serzh Sargsyan’s tributary announcement. Our Investigative Service now works as it did after the incidents of Mar. 1, 2008. No matter how much Europe intervenes, these guys won’t change their hide [referring to the Armenian proverb “a red cow won’t change its hide” equivalent to “a leopard cannot change its spots”].”

Alla Hovhannisyan, mother of Mar. 1, 2008 slain Tigran Khachatryan, also doesn’t believe that the SIS, reviewing the Mar. 1 case, will uncover anything.

“I find that they do this in order to disrupt our cases in the European Court, and second, to blow dust in the eyes of the Europeans [i.e. to show that they’re doing something, albeit superficially] and to deceive our public. Perhaps, the elections are approaching and forced, they’re doing something. But that doesn’t hinder [my efforts] to continue my struggle,” Hovhannisyan told Epress.am.

According to her, since it’s the same people engaged in this work, it’s unlikely that any of the circumstances surrounding the deaths will be cleared up.

Sargis Kloyan, father of Mar. 1, 2008 slain Gor Kloyan, also doesn’t tie any hopes to recent calls for a thorough review of the investigation into the events.

“If they really want to uncover [the truth], let them begin not by interrogating demonstrators, but police officers, from those who gave the orders, from generals, who were the main participants in all this. They’re putting on a show. I don’t believe that they’ll uncover [the circumstances],” he said.