“WE WON THE BATTLE OF KHOJALU OVERNIGHT”

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“I find my detention inadmissible. I am jailed for my political dissent,” said Chairman of the “Ordeal of Soul” NGO and Armenian MP Sasun Mikayelian during an interview with A1+, “Chorrord Ishkhanutiun” and Radio Liberty in the “Yerevan-Kentron” Penitentiary Institution.

Below is the full interview,

You were affiliated with the Republican Party (HHK) before you voiced support for Ter-Petrossian. Today they say you had no right to join another team as the HHK treated you well. Do you share this opinion?

I have never been a HHK marionette. I have always stuck to my viewpoint. Furthermore, I have always raised the problems and concerns of the society. I predicted today’s events long ago. I couldn’t leave people alone as I held different positions. I was elected to the Armenian Parliament on a majoritarian list for three times. Besides, I was Mayor of Hrazdan. People need my support and I shall always stand close to them.

I know a lot about our high-rank officials both in higher and lower echelons. They do whatever they want. I am confident I have taken the right path and I shall not surrender. Time will reveal everything. I don’t regret for my deeds.

The ammunition found by the police was said to belong to Sasun Mikayelian. Is it true?

I think that the investigation will reveal everything.

Don’t you care for the Police statement?

Not a bit. One cannot be persecuted for a crime he has not committed. I won’t be tried for treachery. I will never raise arms against Armenians. I have only opened fire at our rival - Turks.

Have you ever been invited to a cross examination?

I answer no question. No investigation has been launched on the case.

Do you know why you are imprisoned? What misdeeds have you done?

No, I don’t know. I am not going to prove my innocence or plead guilty. They must prove that I am guilty. So far they have been unable to do it. Aren’t they ashamed of this falsehood?

During the trial of HHSh member Aram Barseghian one of the witnesses confessed he had been forced to bear false testimony against Aram Barseghian and Sasun Mikayelian. Will they gain anything by creating an atmosphere of fear among people? All their intrigues and false evidences led the country to this ooze. And now they want to make things even worse. An ad hoc committee has been set up in the National Assembly to investigate the events of March 1 and 2. The committee is to study you case as well. Do you have any expectations from the committee?

Firstly, I don’t think the committee will succeed. Secondly, it will have the same fate as the previous two committees.

Will you be engaged in the committee after you are set free?

Surely, I was there on March 1 as a NA deputy. I was there to avert the tragic occurrences. I have seen wars and I know what a crowd means. I knew what they wanted to do. You cannot guess it but I can.

Did you tell the Prosecutor General everything you know during your meeting?

I said nothing. I only said they cannot sentence me on groundless charges.

Why did the Prosecutor General visit you?

I cannot say definitely. He inquired about my health. I said that I feel better in custody than in freedom. And I extended my gratitude to nurses and prison chief Khlghatian.

Do you agree that a dialogue will surmount the crisis?

No dialogue will be started between the sides. I don’t believe them..

And yet, the HHK considers your step a treachery.

When a soldier becomes engaged in politics he can only betray his country. I think I have never betrayed my people. I said what they fear to say aloud from different rostrums. I have always been a soldier and I will die as such. I have always served and will serve my country and people. I am not interested in the authorities’ opinion. There are problems to be addressed in the country but their solution requires joint efforts.

What is your opinion of General Manvel Grigorian’s behaviour?

You had better ask him the question.

Will you ever forgive your parliamentarian partners as they “handed” you to the police. Have they ever visited you?

I want to thank them for their “manliness.”

Didn’t Serzh Sarkissian try to release you?

No, he hasn’t. I appreciate a person for his values. In 1990-91 we had the same footing. I have always spoken to him in a human language and not in an official way.

Will Serzh Sarkissian estimate the situation in a right way?

I think if Serzh Sarkissian had taken office in 1998 the country would have taken the right path. The problems have far deepened today. They have made brothers enemies over the past ten years.

Do you think that the demonstrators robbed shops and burnt cars as the official sources say? Or is it a provocation?

I say I was ill on that day. I went there after receiving a call at 3:30. The sight was really terrible. It resembled Martakert. People had chained about 200-250 policemen and a clash seemed inevitable. I was the first to get to the square. A car was parked nearby with loudspeakers. I came to it and urged people to stay calm. I said I had a message from Levon Ter-Petrossian. He had asked to calm people to avoid further clashes. Everything was clear at 4 o’clock. I urged people not to touch any policemen on a megaphone. I have seen wars and I know that if people wanted to rob the shops they would have done it earlier. There were too many shops. If people wanted to seize power they would have taken the City Hall. I stayed there till midnight. When fire was opened I was astonished at people’s determination and courage. Who benefited from it? A rally cannot be dispersed at night. We won a victory in Khojalu overnight.

Who is to blame for the March 1 occurrences?

The weak side

Who in particular?

I don’t know. I cannot say at present. I can say one thing for sure. I cling dearly to freedom and life. I fear no one and nothing in this country. I am nobody’s slave.

You used to repeat that you know Serzh Sarkissian quite well. Could the March 1 events have occurred without Serzh Sarkissian’s awareness and agreement?

I cannot answer the question.

And doesn’t he know that you are here?

Certainly, he knows. I have seen human values in him.

What will you do after you are released? Will you go home or continue to struggle?

What is the aim of staying indoors? I must make my speech reach home. The country will better one day. I have nothing to lose. I have been wounded for 107 times. I shall surely struggle to the end, up to the European Court.

Diana Markosyan