“If Hayrapetyan runs, he will get reelected”
Head of the NA faction of the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) Galust Sahakyan today told "A1+" that the HHK didn't see the need for an extraordinary session. We mention that the Armenian National Congress (HAK), the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D), Heritage Party and Prosperous Armenia Party (BHHK) have launched a petition to convene an extraordinary session to discuss HHK Deputy Ruben Hayrapetyan's mandate. Vice-chairman of the HHK, Galust Sahakyan says the movement relating to the murder that took place at Harsnakar Restaurant is led by not only local forces, but also dark forces from abroad who wish to "create chaos" in Armenia.
"A1+": Mr. Sahakyan, don't you think it is more correct to solve the issue relating to Ruben Hayrapetyan's mandate through an extraordinary session? After all, the man publicly announced that he was going to drop his mandate due to the incident, but he is still a deputy.
Galust Sahakyan: According to the NA Rules and Regulations, a resignation must be ready during the coming session, not during an extraordinary session. Those who are rushing can set the objective of holding an extraordinary session. The HHK doesn't face a problem.
"A1+": Does this mean that the HHK doesn't want Hayrapetyan to drop his mandate?
G. S.: It's not that we don't want him to. It's just that we don't see anything unusual. The deputy acted morally. On the day he made the public announcement, I said he had rushed a little because there was some mass of people who were standing up for morals. However, I must say that Ruben Hayrapetyan's hobby is to raise the reputation of Armenian football abroad, and him being a deputy depends on what his team will demand. He can drop his mandate and then run again to see if that mass will reelect him or not and express confidence in him or not.
"A1+": So, is it likely to see Ruben Hayrapetyan run again?
G. S.: No, I don't think so because this time he listened to our advice and ran under the majoritarian ticket. He doesn't have much time. He is entirely involved in raising the reputation of Armenian football.
"A1+": In that case, why doesn't the HHK hold a session now so that Hayrapetyan truly resigns and so that the society believes in his sincerity?
G. S.: First, that is a small electoral mass that has turned a tragic event into revenge. Both local and global political forces are trying to solve some issues in a way to ensure the implementation of their processes in the future.
"A1+": Which forces are trying to manipulate that movement and meet their objective? Is it the West, Russia or the United States?
G. S.: There are various countries around the world. Each country has political forces which would like to create chaos in Armenia. I can only say one thing-the culprits will be punished by the law.
"A1+": Will Ruben Hayrapetyan be punished as well?
G. S.: Ruben Hayrapetyan is not a criminal to be punished. I think it would be very nice, if the judicial and legal system was such that those who tried to go against the hypothesis of innocence by recognizing someone guilty based on their whim could be punished.
"A1+": You said there are global forces that wish to create chaos in Armenia. Did they provoke the murder as well?
G. S.: No, they didn't. Those who kill and apply violence can't be members of our party, and the HHK will do everything possible to make sure that those people are punished by the law.
"A1+": It is no secret that Ruben Hayrapetyan and Chairman of the National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan aren't on good terms. The presses say Hovik Abrahamyan has promised to treat the deputies to something, if the issue of Ruben Hayrapetyan's resignation is finally solved.
G. S.: I don't think the faction has undesired deputies. There can be disputes in any family and anything can happen, but that doesn't mean that the family is on the verge of breaking up.
Interview by Marine Kharatyan
