Epress.am News from Armenia
Recently released from prison former MP and commander of the Sasun brigade during the Nagorno-Karabakh War Sasun Mikaelyan, speaking to journalists today, said he welcomed the dialogue between the Armenian National Congress and the Armenian authorities and he believes that Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will make a statement on the matter by the end of this week. At the same time, however, Mikaelyan said he has no positive expectations from the dialogue.
“It’s the first time such a thing is being done in Armenia. And that, which some oppositionists are saying, that they’re making a deal, they accepted money and so on, they’re wrong, stop it. I have said that, at the end of the day, we’re going to take the civilized road, legitimate elections, so that we also say to the world that we’re taking the civilized approach,” he said.
According to him, it is due to outside forces and pressure from the people that political prisoners were released. (Mikaelyan was referring to the handful of men, all except one who were arrested in connection with the events of Mar. 1–2, 2008, in Yerevan, referred to as political prisoners by the opposition.)
Asked whether he has met with his former colleagues since his release, Mikaelyan said he doesn’t want to see their faces right now.
As for Serzh Sargsyan, Mikaelyan said even today he considers him his comrade in war.
“I made a speech during the HHK [ruling Republican Party of Armenia] convention that I’m going to back Serzh Sargsyan, but a day came when our political views didn’t correspond and I said, I won’t participate in elections with this team, and as a result, three years, three months…,” said Mikaelyan, referring to the length of time he spent in prison.