“Security was the most important thing that was discussed. Officials’ family members fan the flames by visiting the border. This means that the location they visited will most likely be a site for shooting, especially if the visit is not done to inspire the soldiers, but as a photo op,” founding member of the ‘Adekvat’ NGO and former Deputy Director of the Public Radio of Armenia, Lika Tumanyan, said at the Hayeli press club regarding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s wife’s visit to the border with Azerbaijan.
According to Tumanyan, Anna Hakobyan’s visit had more elements of PR than sympathetic. “People do not show off when they are truly sympathetic. Let’s set aside human characteristics for one moment. This is dangerous because, God forbid, we learn about a sabotage attempt that took place because the enemy is following news publications… Perhaps the place where the official visited will be subjected to heavy firing tomorrow or the day after.”
Lika Tumanyan believes that the potential risks of the Prime Minister’s wife’s visit to the border were underestimated.
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P.S. In response to criticism for this visit, Anna Hakobyan wrote on Facebook, “‘The Armenian Army is the focus of our entire people’s attention and sympathy. And I, as a part of the people, visit our soldiers at any given opportunity.’ This is how I responded to a journalist’s question about why I visited the border. It seems that there are more ‘questions’ regarding this visit. Now I don’t understand, should I go? Should I not go? Should I go anywhere or not? Should I do anything or not? Am I supposed to only visit hair salons, go shopping for clothes and shoes, and of course, for jewelry? Am I only supposed to go to baptisms or birthdays or participate in tourist visits? And I should definitely go to a health resort twice a year with my girlfriends. But look at me, look at the useless work I’m doing.”
Luiza Sukiasyan
