A Pre-Parliament member Tigran Khzmalyan sees a connection between the detention of their 9 activists and the statement of the Russian Ambassador Ivan Volinkin to Armenia.
Recall that the Ambassador pointed out the need for neutralizing the NGOs working in Armenia and seeking to drive a wedge between Armenia and Russia. Recall also that on May 16, Pre-Parliament has scheduled a big rally to talk and discuss with citizens about created political situation and Armenia’s accession to the CU. “Although we are not an NGO, but we understand that NGO means an idea, a speech, which is not pleasant to the Russian Embassy as it acts as Armenia’s sole president, the prime minister, the speaker, the minister of culture and so on. From now on, we will deal with the Russian Embassy and its local affiliates, one of which is, for example, the police,” said Mr. Khzmalyan.
To our question of whether you consider yourself one of the Ambassador’s pointed “wedge drivers” in the Armenian-Russian relations, Mr. Khzmalyan answered, “If the establishment of the dictatorship in the former Soviet countries and the enslavement of the countries is considered Armenian-Russian relations, then we are driving a wedge.” In his opinion, the Russian Ambassador’s statement speaks about Russia’s bad predictions. “They are predicting some unpleasant developments and are trying to plan for preventive measures.”
Arpine SIMONYAN
