Politics, of course, is a ruthless game. In the heat of political struggle, as the saying goes, no one shares pilaf. However, for me, it is crucial that those involved in politics—whether as active participants or as supporters—do not lose their basic humanity. I refuse to accept the notion that political calculations justify misanthropy, cruelty, or mercilessness.
When Alen Simonyan injured his hand during training, I genuinely felt for him. If something happened to Vardan Ghukasyan, who now lives in the United States, I would feel no satisfaction. Political and personal sympathies or animosities must be set aside when it comes to basic human dignity.
Yet with Pashinyan, his team, and his supporters, we see the exact opposite.
It is no secret that Ruben Vardanyan is being tortured in a Baku prison. The humane response to this would be outrage—an unequivocal stand against the abuse of an Armenian citizen held captive by a hostile regime. But the reaction from the Nikolists is astonishing. Rather than condemning the mistreatment of Vardanyan and other Armenian hostages, they continue to spew hatred and venom.
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Their main argument is as follows: “They are Putin’s people, Kremlin agents, and they were kidnapped from the area under Russian peacekeepers’ control.” Let’s assume, for a moment, that all of this is true. So what? Do these suspicions justify their suffering, or worse, their deaths?
This attitude leads to one inevitable conclusion: such an outcome serves their leader’s interests. It benefits their boss and idol, Pashinyan, when potential political rivals are physically eliminated—courtesy of his de facto ally, Aliyev. And Ruben Vardanyan, first and foremost, is one such rival.
Does politics have to be built on hatred and inhumanity? For the Nikolyans, it appears so. No positive ideas emerge from their ranks—only the constant need to fabricate “internal enemies” and “5th columns.”
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
