Imagine this scenario: after Nikol Pashinyan posts on Facebook claiming that some clergyman is fucking his own aunt, or worse, suggesting that he could show his own penis to the Catholicos of All Armenians, masked NSS agents storm Pashinyan’s office, twist his arms, search the room, and seize his computers so that he could never serve as Prime Minister again.
I absolutely dislike it when opposition figures speak or write, let’s say, in “Nikol-style language.” But if what they say or write is supposed to have legal consequences, then the more vulgar, more hooligan-like behavior of Civil Contract members should face harsher punishment.
By the way, I think organizing a “mask show” on Facebook or live broadcast—breaking in, searching, and seizing—is absolutely unlawful. The person posting the status could simply be summoned to the investigative authorities for questioning. But no. These shows are special “joyrides” for Civil Contract members—they need footage and photos where they humiliate their opponents, “gluing them to the asphalt,” as they would say in “Nikol-style language.” This is how our officials assert themselves and demonstrate power.
In terms of swearing, using street language, hooliganism, and insulting—the leaders in this regard in Armenia are Nikol Pashinyan and his subordinates. Accusing, scolding, or calling anyone to be polite is rather amusing. The “hooligan atmosphere” is created by the authorities themselves, including their army of fake accounts. They have no moral right to demand any different behavior from anyone.
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That said, I still have to say something “unpopular”: opposition figures should not descend to that level of language brawl.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
