Epress.am News from Armenia
The Arabkir Police Division is conducting an investigation into an incident in which the tires of a Ford Transit belonging to the Pre-Parliament civil initiative as well as those of a vehicle belonging to one of the members of this initiative, Karo Yeghnukyan, were slashed by an unidentified man, representative of the press service of the police Armen Malkhasyan informed Epress.am today.
The incident occurred during the “Boycott Yerevan City Supermarkets” demonstration yesterday.
Pre-Parliament coordinator and filmmaker Tigran Khzmalyan said that after noticing the slashed tires yesterday evening they immediately informed the Arabkir Police Division, though police officers arrived at the scene after 20 minutes.
“When we called, the police told us maybe our guys did it. We were quite surprised [at this response]. Later, our friends submitted a written report to the police; they came too; took measurements; and what happened later is unknown,” Khzmalyan told the Epress.am correspondent.
Speaking to Epress.am, Karo Yeghnukyan (pictured) said police officers have already looked at the CCTV video footage from the neighboring shops.
According to him, the police already know what the culprit looks like, “a young man wearing a cap”; though his identity has not yet been established. In Yeghnukyan’s opinion, what happened is the result of inaction by law enforcement bodies and a very serious warning addressed to him.
“This is the continuation of the hatred provoked by [Republican Party of Armenia MP and owner of the Yerevan City supermarket chain Samvel] Aleksanyan. On Sept. 2, when my photo was stuck on the wall of the Covered Market, the next day, Pre-Parliament issued a statement on the matter, then I wrote letters to Aleksanyan, [National Assembly President] Hovik Abrahamyan, Police Chief Vladimir Gasparyan, and the General Prosecutor, to no avail. I submitted several requests to the police to ensure my safety, but they are inclined to do nothing. I ask, what are you waiting for, for something to happen to me, then to say, ‘Sorry, we were late’?” he said.
Yeghnukyan believes that the incident is a serious threat to him. “That the four tires were punctured twice is aimed at my body. This is a warning that ‘Mr. Yeghnukyan, this time it’s your tires; next time it’ll be your body’,” he surmised.