‘The Movement can Establish a Government by the People in Armenia’: Zurabyan

The Armenian National Congress (HAK) marked its two-year anniversary this year in the park around Saryan’s statue, in the presence of numerous citizens and ANC representatives. Though a celebratory mood was in the air, those gathered stood for a moment of silence to honor those Armenian soldiers who had died while serving in the army these past few days. 

HAK Coordinator Levon Zurabyan, during his address, noted that this united front was established not on August 1, but rather during those dozen or so days in February when everyone was gathered at Freedom Square and fighting for the establishment of freedom in the country.

“HAK shattered the many hopes of this regime; one of those hopes was that they believed that by keeping political prisoners in prison for years, they would break them. Each regime’s end begins from that period when that regime accepts political prisoners as national heros. It remains for us to prove that if there are dimwits who still don’t understand that this Movement is capable, that it’s able to establish a government by the people in Armenia, in the upcoming rally on September 17, we will show them the evidence. It’s still a shock today, many people are in vacation mode, but quite soon, a people’s wave will rise up in Armenia, in the name of freedom and justice, and it will be you who will make that wave,” said Zurabyan.

Social Democrat Hunchakian Party (SDHP) Chair Lyudmila Sargsyan, in turn, said that HAK today is the only coordinated political power, which is able to attract thousands of citizens as followers. 

“We know that in order to fight against this ruling authority we must be able to run a coordinated, united, consistent struggle,” she said.

Also gathered around Saryan’s statue a few days ago was Zhora Sapeyan, a political prisoner recently released from Artik penitentiary, who thanked the people, and in particular, those women who fought for their freedom day and night, which, according to Sapeyan, inspired those in the dungeons.   

“Our political prisoner friends are in the dungeons as hostages; they have committed no crime.  The criminals, including those who murdered at least 10 people, today are enjoying their uniforms and positions; it’s not coincidental that two years later, no murderer has been held responsible for the crime,” he said. Turning his attention to the victims’ parents, he asked them to be patient a little bit longer, since “little [time] is left”  and all criminals will appear before a just court. 

Democratic Homeland Party Leader Petros Makeyan added that, in the coming days, HAK must do everything possible to free not only political prisoners, but also Armenia.

Another HAK representative, David Shahnazaryan, speaking on HAK’s achievements, said: “During this time, and that which basically took place in 2008, the environment of fear changed like so in Armenia, why do I say ‘changed’ and not ‘shattered’, it would be better to say the environment of fear went from the public to the government. The environment of fear and terror is now in the government, never believe that they are afraid of [Levon] Ter-Petrosyan, of HAK leaders, no, they are afraid of you… and you are that power that must get Armenia out of this burdensome situation, and for us to reach our goals.”