On October 2, Zaruhi Postanjyan’s question to Serzh Sargsyan at the PACE plenary session raised a big fuss and enjoyed the criticism by many. Member of “Republic” party, lawyer, Artak Zeinalyan, in the interview with Aravot, when commenting on the developments that took place after Zaruhi Postanjyan’s question, said that Zaruhi Postanjyan did not make a discovery.”
Zaruhi Postanjyan’s question does not contain any confidential information and no one should get shocked. And, generally, the politicians should be more restrained to the criticism against them. This is from the alphabet of freedom of speech. In the democratic society people need to be tolerant against critical and stunning speech.”
Mr. Zeinalyan thinks that asking this question is a matter of taste, and it is not the first time that they spoke about it. “Whether it was appropriate to ask this question to a person holding the office of President of Armenia sitting in the chair of tribune, no one can compete, nothing beats taste. Perhaps, it is possible to discuss that the number raised is plausible, or not, however, the world’s biggest sum lost is the sum of 21 million dollars. Perhaps, it would be more convenient to speak about very fresh cases of what happened to exactly the same Zaruhi Postanjyan in Meghri.” The lawyer thinks that the attack on Zaruhi Postanjyan by Russian security guards on December 25 is incompatible with the status of an independent country, and with the Constitutions of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia. “This is typical to occupation forces in the occupied territories, when they do whatever they want. Here, the troops demonstrate themselves as occupants. The inaction of the authorities of Armenia is blameworthy thereover, regardless Zaruhi Postanjyan or someone is their party member, or not, or whether occupant troops are their masters, or not. I think it is very appropriate to say welcome to the Customs Union.” According to Artak Zeinalyan, Serzh Sargsyan could use this question very favorably. The lawyer is not surprised that the Azerbaijani representative has raised the issue of withdrawal of Zaruhi Postanjyan. “In Azerbaijan, human rights situation, including the freedom of speech, is very poor, it is incompatible as compared to Armenia. So, it is not strange that this question was raised, especially in Azerbaijan.”
Mr. Zeinalyan emphasized that no civil liability is exposed for this question, as there are no elements of offense, or defamation. And, as to what was said to the address of Zaruhi Postanjyan, the lawyer considers it as an offense, which assumes civil liability.
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Ami CHICHAKYAN