There are two extremes regarding the crash with participation of our talented actor Vardan Petrosyan. First, without getting deep into the issue, blaming and comdemning him. In addition, in doing this, the presumption of innocence towards the person is violated, it is also questionable from moral perspective, taking into account the actor’s physical and psychological condition. Nobody has the right to consider anybody guilty up to the moment when the verdict is announced, which under normal justice, should give answers to all questions.
As a man of honor and conscience, Vardan is also experiencing a deep distress, and detaining him without any legal justification, of course, makes these experiences deeper. I am joining to all petitions of changing the preventive measure of the artist. Our courts have just a mania of detaining all suspects, which is explained by the “risks of corruption” and the desire to put pressure on the said citizens. What, do they think that the actor is going to run away from Armenia or going to the scene and changing the evidence? It is a perfect nonsense.
But there is also the other extreme, making the actor a hero, presenting him almost a “detainee of conscience” or a “political prisoner”. I was also an ardent fan of the actor’s talent, and I know that the majority of fans would not like what I am writing, but I would like to remind that the matter is not about political or social activities, or even “rallies with explosives” (in which political incentives can be found, if desired). The matter is about a crash that killed two teens, and their relatives are experiencing deep distress.
Comparing with Hrant Dink (“We are all Vardan Petrosyan”) is not correct. Our Istanbul Armenian colleague was murdered by a nationalist terrorist for Dink’s articles and convictions. This, however, can not be compared with the traffic accident. It is a fact that our investigators and judges may be corrupted and display unprofessionalism, but I do not think that they have a command of some “political reckoning”.
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Populist, of course, will ask, “And if a son of an authority or an oligarch appeared in such condition, will he be detained?” Direct response to direct question; he would not only be freed, but also released from any liability, precedents are numerous. But, whether it means that normal people like Vardan Petrosyan should not answer for their deeds, if guilty.
Of course, let’s support our favorite actor. But, without falling into exaggerations, which can only complicate Vardan’s situation.
Aram Abrahamyan
I am a huge, unconditional fan of Vartan Bedrossian. —
Before reading this article, I had a similar reaction, though. —
His support group is using the slogan “we are all Vartan Petrossian”. —
This is a very bad choice for a slogan. It is very counter-productive. —
It establishes an ill-advised parallel with Hrant Dink (when they killed him, the crowd was chanting “we are all Hrant Dink”) —
This will not help Vartan. —
Because : —
a) it makes an analogy between the Armenian State and the Turkish State (it is too extreme, from any serious point of view…) —
b) it will offend those who consider Hrant Dink as a semi-divine Hero… and who will thus consider that his comparison with Vartan is too pretentious. —
c) it will not be well received either by those who do not consider Hrant Dink as… such a Hero, but who do like Vartan very much… —
d) Vartan is not killed, nor is he going to be killed – seriously speaking – (while, alas, there are people who did lose their lives, in the accident…) —
Said slogan also comprises a political message which is not welcomed at all by a lot of Armenians, since the “we are all Hrant Dink / we are all Armenians” slogan chanted by (an insignificant fraction) of Turks expresses the idea of (premature and naïve) Turkish-Armenian so-called “reconciliation”, etc. —
I am sure that Vartan’s support group can find a more appropriate – and productive – slogan. —
I feel very bad for the man. I believe that he is a true genius, and that he did not deserve what is happening to him. Which does not mean in any way that I do not share – as much as possible… – the pain of the families of the deceased. This is a horrible, horrible tragedy. —
Asdvads okne… —
Haytoug Chamlian, Canada
Thank you! Very cogent remarks.