Epress.am News from Armenia
An Armenian family who were caught in a gas explosion in their home in Aintab town of Ararat province staged a sit-in protest on Thursday, September 24 in front of the RA presidential residence demanding compensation for their losses. The explosion which burned their house down and caused multiple injuries of various degrees to the eight members of the Petrosyans family occurred over two years ago. However, Petrosyans say, those guilty have not been held responsible, and the family have not received compensation of any kind.
One of the victims, Artak Petrosyan, told an Epress.am reporter that the preliminary investigation into the case lasted for about a year, and then “they started to drag out the process in court.”
“Expert examinations have shown that the pipeline was built illegally, that the Gazprom Artashat office gave a positive conclusion and allowed the installation of the gas line. Employees of [Armenia’s 1-04 gas emergency service] also failed to do their job. We called the service several times, reported a gas smell; however, they never checked [the gas line] until it exploded,” Petrosyan said.
At the citizens and appeals reception department of the RA president's office Artak Petrosyan presented the receipts of his previously filed letters: “They always say they'll see [that the issue is addressed], however, nothing has changed. Today, once again, they told me they'd watch over the case. If this goes on, we replied, we will be forced to start a hunger strike. Gazprom tells us 'We are powerful, you can never win the suit.' We've come here with the hope that at least the president will do something.”
Pictured – Homeless for two years; we demand fair compensation from Gazprom Armenia