I always believed that we must be friendly towards individuals, tolerant towards their beliefs, and we must only accept or condemn phenomena. What should we base our negative outlooks on different phenomena on? This is clear- it should be based on principles that have not changed as a result of different circumstances. For example, if it was wrong to drive at 100 km/hr three years ago, then it is also wrong now. If it was wrong to stop A1+ from broadcasting at the beginning of the 2000s and allowing “their own people” to broadcast as a result of a “competition,” then it is still wrong. If we condemned opening criminal cases against the opposition 10 years ago, then why should that be acceptable now?
I also have not changed my mind regarding attacks on state buildings, violence against representatives of the government, and calls to carry out violence. Violently breaking open the door of the Radio House and entering it in 2018 is condemnable, in my opinion, and besides that, it is a crime according to the Criminal Code. The authorities did not respond adequately at the time as the article was not used to file a case. If anyone who is protesting today attempts to enter the Radio House in the same manner, the current authorities will do the right thing by using the measures outlined in that article to respond to it.
In 2016, the Sasna Tsrer armed group attacked a police brigade, as a result of which three police officers died. The majority of Armenian citizens at the time applauded murder and violence because they hated the authorities. Let’s remember the BBC report in which people were expressing awe at that crime.
I have no doubts about the unbiased attitudes of the British reporters; that was truly the opinion of the majority at the time. I was not a part of that majority.
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The current government that came to power after the 2018 revolution decided to lead based on populism, and it released the majority of the Sasna Tsrer members. Now, members of that group continue to make calls to commit violence, and some members of the government hypocritically ask, “Oh, how can that be?” But regardless of all the circumstances, I reiterate that it is right to prosecute those who break into the National Assembly or government buildings, or those who have recently attempted to break into the government building by force. It is also right to prosecute those who call for violence against the Prime Minister.
I am not a fan of the current, former, Armenia’s, or any other country’s authorities. Authorities, in my opinion, are a disgusting phenomenon (but, unfortunately, they are unavoidable). The issue lies elsewhere. We either must live in accordance with state laws, or we must lead in accordance with revolutionary (or “national”) convenience.
Aram Abrahamyan
