Cheated Homeowners Continue Protest, Promise ‘Surprise’ During Election

Homeowners of apartments on Aram, Buzand, Yekmalyan and Saryan streets continued their protest outside the Armenian president’s office today. Recall, in 2006, the homeowners agreed to leave their homes on the condition that they would be given apartments in new buildings to be constructed in the same area. For this they signed an agreement with a developer, but not only did they not receive their new apartments, but also their units were resold to other parties (sometimes not once, but twice).

The disgruntled homeowners protesting today added another demand to their demand of acquiring the apartments they say is theirs — to release from duty head of the presidential oversight (control) service Hovhannes Hovsepyan.

Protestor, homeowner Sona Maghakyan informed Epress.am that they recently found out Hovsepyan, who was dealing with their issue, has taken ownership of 25 apartments.

According to Maghakyan, he was silenced, by being provided with apartments, so he doesn’t move their case forward.

No one from the president’s office has yet come out to speak to the protestors today. Assistant to the president Armen Abelyan has explained that he’s busy.

“Those in the president’s office don’t know yet what we’re going to prepare for the elections. We’re planning a surprise. We’re going to come with bottles filled with gasoline and immolate ourselves — what does it mean, to leave us outside for 8 years?” said another protestor, Mrs. Flora.

Police supervising the situation on the scene are urging the protestors “not to get aggressive and protest in a civilized fashion.”