Mrs. Demirtchian demands to disclose masterminds
Ten years have passed since the attack on the Armenian National Assembly on October 27, 1999.
A memorial to the victims of the October 27 attack was unveiled at the National Assembly Park on October 27, 2009. The memorial commemorates state and political figures Karen Demirchian, Vazgen Sargsian, Yuri Bakhshian, Ruben Miroyan, Mikael Kotanian, Armenak Armenakian, Henrik Abrahamian and Leonid Petrosian.
The vicinity of Armenian parliament was overcrowded today. Armenia's top brass at the head of President Serzh Sargsyan was at the National Assembly Park to pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the terrorist act and to lay a wreath at Vazgen Sargsyan's grave. Serzh Sargsyan arrived at the National Assembly from Yereablur Pantheon escorted by Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, Prosecutor General, President of Constitutional Court, Prime Minister, and other high ranking officials.
The officials passed by the relatives of the victims silence without changing a word with them.
In his addressing speech NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamian said: "The loss is irretrievable and the wound - incurable. The passing years couldn't alleviate the pain and sorrow Armenians feel over the loss of the victims. The memorial symbolizes the victory of the good over evil; it symbolizes the path of the assassinated state figures."
Following Hovik Abrahamian's speech, Karen Demirtchian's wife Rima Demirtchian, was invited to the rostrum.
She thanked the parliament authorities for erecting the memorial.
"You have chosen the right statue which symbolizes our grief and sorrow, the losses we had. Still, many questions remain unaddressed today. The October 27 crime must be fully disclosed. It cannot be passed on to future generations. The acting authorities must detect the perpetrators of those inhumane acts. The disclosure is important for the country, its people, and next generations. Let the perpetrators know that all efforts to humiliate the perished state figures are doomed to failure since these figures sacrificed their lives for the sake of their country. Take my words as a request, as a demand or an objective imperative."
Serzh Sargsyan and other top officials listened to Mrs. Demirtchian's speech with their heads lowered.
Following the speech, Rima Sargsian and Greta Sargsian, the mother of Vazgen Sargsian, unveiled the memorial replaced by Yervand Kochar's "David" statue.
