Epress.am News from Armenia
Even an Etchmiadzin family’s fifth sit-in in front of the president’s residence in Yerevan didn’t garner the attention of news media based in the capital. One or two news sites covered the story of the Khudoyan family, who is on the brink of losing a large portion of its home. The efforts of the president’s staff, Etchmiadzin police, mayor, general prosecutor, and Yerevan police are directed toward removing the Khudoyans from their spot in front of the presidential palace.
Last Friday, after two of the children in the family became ill, the family stopped its protest for a few days, and when the father yesterday returned with one of his daughters, Deputy Police Chief of Arabkir Administrative District Arayik Petrosyan informed them that due to the upcoming Independence Day onSept. 21, they have been given orders to remove by force anyone protesting in front of the presidential palace. This morning, the Khudoyans were again threatened that they will not be allowed to spend another night on Baghramyan Avenue, since they have orders from Yerevan Deputy Police Chief Valeriy Osipyan
Every time after the sit-in begins, police try to convince the father to go home, shaming him by saying he is not thinking of his children. Ashot Khudoyan says, in fact, he is trying to save his family from being thrown out on the street. The Khudoyans are promised their issue will be resolved, but as soon as they return to Etchmiadzin, all the relevant departments continue to deal with the case to the family’s detriment.
Ashot Khudoyan’s brother, mother (who is living in the US), and sister (living in Yerevan) are suing Ashot for their right to own their ancestral home in the center of Etchmiadzin. Ashot shows evidence that his father’s will and the remaining documents were forged by the notary and in the cadastre.
Ashot has agreed to settle, and his relatives are prepared to withdraw their requests for the property. But the settlement, which is being offered to Ashot, contains two unacceptable points: the first is that during these years none of the parties have committed an unlawful act, which, according to Ashot, means that for several years, he “was defaming his relatives and presenting false evidence,” which might be used against him in the future.
“I don’t aim to imprison or cause harm to my relatives; I need my home, but by signing this document, I am putting myself under attack,” says Ashot.
The second point says that Ashot is bound to cover all the legal costs, though he is in a dire financial position. He is amazed by the fact that his attorney, Seda Safaryan, is also suggesting he sign this settlement agreement.
“I get the impression that the opposite party has bribed also my advocate, whose actions are contrary to our interests,” he said.
In a private conversation with an Epress.am correspondent, one of the police officers said that Ashot Khudoyan has come to the wrong place to complain. “How can the president influence the court system? Without knowing the laws, they come and sit in front of the [presidential] residence. That man has been convicted, but you, without thinking, write everything. It’s not right: we’re a country surrounded by enemies,” explained the man in uniform, adding that he’s “talking as a person, not as a police officer.”