‘Kocharian’s Stolen Property Will Cover Armenia’s Foreign Debt’: Opposition Prepares for March 1 Rally

A group of Karabakh War veterans urge those concerned about the fate of Armenia to gather at Saryan park at1 pm on Mar. 1 and then join the rally at Liberty Square. 

This statement was made on behalf of the working group of the enlarged board of military commanders by Karabakh War veterans Suren Sargsyan, Kars regiment commander Aslan Grigoryan, reserve colonel Khachik Avetisyan, Metsn Tigran brigade commander Vladimir Arakelyan, Susanna Margaryan, and Vardan Malkhasyan.

"Armenia's statehood is endangered, since the steering wheel of the state is in the hands of thieves and crooks. Each government is more greedy than its predecessor. Armenia's possessions have been almost completely alienated. The Armenian people in their homeland are deprived of the opportunity to feed their children through decent work, resulting in hundreds of thousands of our compatriots and their families leaving the country, emptying the border villages," reads the statement, in part. 

At a press conference today, Suren Sargsyan expressed confidence that the nation being united in one day will put an end to the notorious, illegal actions of Armenia's ruling authorities — and that day is going to be the tragic day of March 1. (Recall, on Mar. 1–2, 2008, the forceful dispersal of peaceful protests of supporters of opposition presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrossian resulted in the death of 10 people and the arrest of hundreds of opposition members.) 

The Karabakh War veteran also urged political parties, NGOs, and all others critical of the government's "criminal activities" to "finally move from words to action, show national unity and come out to [Liberty] square."

"With the March 1 rally we will bring back Armenia's lost spring of 2008, the Oct. 27 [1999 parliamentary shooting]. Regardless of political party affiliation and position, everyone complains of this government, so we urge people to gather as a nation on one day and put an end to the notorious authorities' activities," said Sargsyan. 

Asked what specific actions are planned for that day and whether a coup d'état in Armenia is possible on March 1, Vardan Malkhasyan said they know exactly what they're going to do, the rest will be decided on the spot. 

"This will be a decisive day and if you're referring to the camel that shed its wool, [ruling Republican Party of Armenia MP] Galust Sahakyan, when he said that they are stronger, we warn you: we will not tolerate any violence by the authorities […] We will not give our country to anyone, especially to criminals like [Armenian President] Serzhik [Sargsyan]. All the thieves will have to answer — [former president of Armenia] Robert Kocharian's property, which is stolen, will cover Armenia's foreign debt," said Sargsyan (no relation).