Freedom fighter left homeless
In 1994, freedom fighter Artsruni Vanyan managed to save his comrades-in-arms from the Hakob-Kamari blockade. As a result, Vanyan became disabled and lost his right leg. Today, the homeless family with four under-age children is in abject need.
"I knew the area quite well was able to bring the boys out of the blockade. While we were bypassing it, the tank shot and I lost my leg. The other was seriously injured and doctors wanted to amputate it but I did not allow them," says the freedom fighter.
Until 1988, Vanyan lived in Begum-Sarov village in Azerbaijan but as soon as the war broke out he joined the group fighting for the protection of Maragha.
Those were the most difficult years for the freedom fighter who survived throughout the war.
"The sight was awful. We collected fragmented legs and hands of children so that cars would not squash them," recalls Vanyan.
During the years of war, it never occurred to the freedom fighter that he would be neglected in his homeland after the war.
The father of four under-age children needs an apartment to be able to rest his achy head on the pillow.
"In 1995, I was forcibly resettled in Karabakh. To this date, I have lived in a barn, in a bathroom; I have no document from the state register or cadastre," he said.
Artsruni Vanyan had to refuse the status of an immigrant and return to Armenia where he lived with his comrade-in-arms.
The disabled freedom fighter has applied to all relevant bodies with his request but to no avail: every time he is told that he is not registered by the local self-government bodies.
"My medals are the only achievement of the past 24 years. I have nothing else but these silent witnesses," he said.
