‘We Want Our Sons’: Relatives of Deceased Soldiers Continue to Protest

The relatives of the young men who died suspiciously while serving in Armenia’s armed forces who were gathered today in front of the RA building at Yerevan’s Republic Square were not allowed to meet with the RA Prime MInister.

Instead of the PM, Government Appeal-Complaints Department Head Alexander Ghazaryan came out of the government building to speak with protestors. Ghazaryan attempted to calm the relatives of the deceased soldiers, attempting to convince them that the government cannot have any role in resolving this issue and doesn’t even have the jurisdiction to intervene. 

In Ghazaryan’s words, the victims’ relatives have to take their issue up with the court.

In response, the mother of Khachik Grigoryan, who died while serving in the army last November, showed the bruises on her hand, which were a result of the last court date, when she was physically removed from the courtroom. 

Also near the government building was Ministry of Defense Public Council Chair Gegham Harutyunyan, who was also attempting to calm the crowd; however, the victims’ parents and relatives didn’t wish to hear any justification for the deaths.

“We want our sons, give us back our beloved. We’ve raised them, kept them, so they can go and get killed in the army?” yelled one of the victims’ grandmother.

“Come kill me, perhaps you’ll calm down, kill me and be done with it,” said Ghazaryan.