We shall give you lands if you return us our fallen soldiers - says Stepanakert resident
“Aliyev, now that you declare that you want to take back your territories, you want us to give you Lachin and Aghdam, can you return us our killed guys in return of these territories?” 77-year-old Borik Pirumyan says, with his eyes full of tears. Mr Pirumyan, a resident of Stepanakert city, lost four relatives in the four-day war [in Karabkh] in early April. Today, his eldest son is on the frontline, in Aghdam region. “My son was born in 1972. He has twice participated in hostilities. He went to the frontline positions on April 2 after he learnt about Azerbaijan’s attack. My son has two children,” he says. “The enemy would never return our lands. Never. We have fought for those lands, we have lost guys. Another soldier was killed today while defending these lands. He also had a family and parents. He also wanted to live… what will you tell his parents?” Borik Pirumyan said. Grandpa Borik showed us his fingers which were cut off. He is a woodcutter and continues to scratch the soil with his lacking finger to be able to feed his grandchildren. "I want my grandchildren to live a normal life; I do not want them to see wars,” he says. “My wife is ill. I say, “Let's go to Yerevan for treatment,” but she refuses to leave the house. She says she will not go anywhere while the fighting continues. She says, “Why should I give our lands to Turks? If they want to kill me, let them do it in my house,” tells the 77-year-old man. During our conversation, Mr Pirumyan’s grandson was playing with other children of the neighbourhood. In the game, they were soldiers who were going to fight against the enemy… Lilit Shaboyan Stepankert
