Shant Harutyunyan has received a disproportionate punishment for his deed – “the blasting cartridges and sticks” should be qualified as hooliganism and worthy of an administrative penalty. The disproportionality of the punishment is explained not by Shant’s opposition views (we have “more ardent” opposition members), but by the fact that his and his fellows’ protest on November 5, 2013, carried a vividly expressed anti-Putin character, and, judging from the reaction of the Moscow propagandists, it had stirred Moscow’s discontent. And it is so to speak a “sacred wrath” for our government authorities.
At the same time, I do not agree that Shant has not violated any law. Shahen Harutyunyan, in defense of his father, recently had organized a protest during the Armenia-Portugal football match. Humanly, it is understandable and even applausive. At the same time, I do not understand the swear-words that are poured over the police, who have forcibly taken Shahen out from the football ground. What were they supposed to do, to leave the young man run together with the 22 football players? UEFA has expressed its discontent pertaining to this incident. No need also to “slam” the European football entity regarding this incident, as it is for keeping a discipline during the official matches, and they are absolutely not interested in our political “scores”. Moreover, the media that have disseminated this statement by UEFA are not to blame. We are just conveying information, and let the readers measure the gains and losses of political protests. I know that I provide an opportunity to our super-democrats and super-oppositions to display their entire democracy, nonconformity, and courage. Never mind, it is not for the first time…
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
