Young activists collect signatures for Jirair Sefilian
An Armenian youth organization - Unity of Hayazn Youth - has launched a signature collection in an attempt to ask Armenian authorities to grant citizenship to Artsakh war hero and commander of the Shushi regiment Jirair Sefilian.
They have also launched an online petition on Facebook, urging Armenian citizens to back up Sefilian's bid for Armenian citizenship.
The unity activists today gathered outside the Komitas State Conservatory to collect signatures from passers-by.
Unity of Hayazn Youth is the first organization to come up with a similar initiative. Last year they applied to the Shushi Municipality with the same request.
"We were much disappointed and surprised to receive a rejection on May 9," said a unity member.
The action will continue till July 10 - Sefilian's birthday. On that day the unity members will march to the presidential residence to give the signatures and ask the Armenian President to grant citizenship to the Karabakh war hero.
Zhirayr Sefilian, a Lebanese citizen of Armenian descent, moved to Armenia in 1990 to participate in the Karabakh war. He is also known as the co-founder of the Sardarapat civic movement. Sefilian has applied for Armenian citizenship for a few timesm but was denied on all occasions. His last application for citizenship was not even accepted.
