I have quite a rich experience of writing about Syunik Governor Suren Khachatryan and the “conquests” of his family. This time, however, I am not going to speak about that family, but I will speak about how every next victim of those “conquests” acted.
Suren Khachatrya’s nephews stabbed to death a young man for touching their shoulder. They made dozens of stab wounds, stuck the knife into his rectum and ripped up. I never publicized this detail, although it could be found in the case. However, when I was talking to old parents of the killed guy, some of them were hesitating whether or not to give me an interview, while the other was urging “it’s none of our business”, “they’ll come after us too.” The old parents never gave me an interview; the publication related to the case came out exceptionally under my responsibility.
Suren Khachatryan’s brother attempted to rape a girl in Goris mall, and he was hardly restrained by the governor’s bodyguard. I knew the girl’s name and address, however, I never publicized them either, not only because it is an ethical crime to disclose the names of raped victims, also because the girl’s relatives categorically refused any interaction with press. Word has it, that the governor or his mates had visited them and settled the issue. It also had, that in private conversations Mr. Khachatryan introduces the girls as his brother’s … it is not accepted to pronounce that word.
Another example is known that Suren Khachatryan in his office heated the schoolboy who had fought with his son. Related to our publication on this issue, the government even initiated a special investigation. It failed, however, mainly because the boy’s parents refused to cooperate, although I witnessed myself they have been promised security guarantees at very high level.
In all such cases I have been hearing similar reasons, with following content: journalists, government officials will fade away and we will stay under his and his family’s supervision as a target. I know those people were right, that is why my pen never raised to blame them for fearfulness.
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Even though, I never wanted to refer to Syunik governor and his allies who felt unpunished due to him. Eventually, if people are pacified with all this, are we more Catholic than the Pope? Particularly, I have never attempted to write against him to achieve personnel changes, as Mr. Khachatryan disseminated around that this entire staff is ordered by those who want to take his position. I am sure that he will still remain in highest positions as long as he ensures votes to government. Please mind, I never mentioned the RPA in particular, as it is not the first year that Suren Khachatryan is on leading positions in the marz.
Nonetheless, tolerating all this in Syunik marz brought to the fact that Suren Khachatryan now beats a person in the center of Yerevan, i.e. Republic Square, a bit distant from the Government building. But this case is unusual; the victim does not remain silent. Probably the reason is that she is not a resident of Syunik marz? And I wonder how the investigation of government or police will turn, considering that the standing justification of closing the case /i.e. no complaint from the victim/ will not happen this time.
Anna ISRAELYAN
