Lernik Alexanyan: Our hero chose the wrong time for his actions
Republican lawmaker Lernik Alexanyan sees ‘political elements’ in the arrest of members of the Founding Parliament movement and the ensuing release on their own recognizance. At the same time he says the arrested group committed criminal actions. “One does not break a law only by beating a person. The state is a regulatory and enforcement body and is established for that purpose. And if someone acts against the constitution and the state, the state must punish him to protect the rights of other citizens,” Mr Alexanyan said to A1+. On April 7, five members of Founding Parliament – Zhirayr Sefilyan, Pavel Manukyan, Garegik Chukaszyan, Varuzhan Avetisyan and Gevorg Safaryan -were arrested on suspicion of planning to provoke ‘mass disturbances’ at the sites of genocide centenary commemorations on April 24. All were taken into two-month custody pending trial. Another Founding Parliament activist was charged with keeping arms and ammunition, but was released on bail. However, on May 4, the restraint (arrest) imposed on them was reviewed and they were released on their own recognizance. The Republican lawmaker does not exclude that the same items found during the search in the homes of FP members could be found in his home. “If I decide to commit a crime or violate public order I can kill a man with a kitchen knife,” Mr Alexanyan said. While Lernik Alexanyan appreciates the work done by the Karabakh war veteran [Zhirayr Sefilyan], the MP criticizes Sefilyan’s actions on the threshold of April 24. “Our hero chose the wrong time for his actions,” Mr Alexanyan said in conclusion.
