Epress.am News from Armenia
The parents of soldiers who died during peaceful times are demanding to meet with President Serzh Sargsyan, a fair investigation of their children's cases, and are prepared to take radical actions. The parents stated their demands today in front of the presidential palace, during their regular protest action. They did not specify what radical actions they would take.
Right after the start of the protest, police officers told parents that Aida Asatryan, the head of the Presidential department’s Reception of Citizens, Appeals, Complaints and Proposals Office, had informed the presidential staff to approach the protesters. After 15 minutes, the protesters realizing that no one is going to approach them, went onto Baghramyan Ave. and blocked traffic.
Police attempted to bring them back to the sidewalk by pushing and pulling them, but they were faced with resistance. During the scuffle, both Gohar Sargsyan, who lost her son Tigran Ohanjanyan in 2007, and Heriknaz Muradyan, the mother of Armen Muradyan, lost in 2013, began feeling faint and emergency care was called for them. The dead soldiers’ parents attempted to block the street for the second and third time, however, the police repeatedly brought them back to the sidewalk.
National Assembly MP Zaruhi Postanjyan also arrived near the Presidential Palace. She said that she was planning to raise the issue of the dead soldiers' cases in the Human Rights standing committee in the NA, in order for a few of the cases to be investigated and suggested a creation of a temporary commission.
Until 1:30 pm the parents did not receive any response from the Presidential staff. Outside the Presidential Palace, three men in military attire came and called one of the police officers. After speaking to the officer, the men entered the palace. At this point the protest was still continuing and the mothers were sitting in front of the palace gates.
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