I have absolutely no interest in what Narek Samsonyan’s or Vazgen Saghatelyan’s political views are. I do not care what they have said or might say about me or Aravot. In this situation, it also doesn’t matter to me which media outlet or platform they represent.
What concerns me are entirely different circumstances—ones that have nothing to do with politics or personal attitudes. What matters to me is that whatever one of them said amounted, at most, to an insult—something that does not justify criminal prosecution. That there was no need whatsoever to “slam them onto the asphalt”: they were neither fleeing nor resisting in any way. That this “operation” was carried out by the National Security Service—an institution that should not be discredited with political orders. Even if there had been “hooliganism” (which, in reality, there wasn’t), such matters fall under the jurisdiction of the police. And I find it entirely unacceptable that the equipment of a media outlet was seized, effectively blocking its operations.
I stand with Narek and Vazgen not only because tomorrow I could end up in the same situation. (It is obvious that the closer we get to elections, the more repression—against media included—we will see.) But that is not the main point. I consider it my duty to stand beside anyone who is being unjustly persecuted or harassed. All political or personal disagreements come far later.
It has been that way for the past thirty years; it is that way now; and it will be the same in the future—when those being persecuted might be members of the Civil Contract Party. Given the atmosphere of hatred and revenge they have cultivated, that scenario is entirely possible.
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those who choose to stand with the crushing boot, the baton, or the wiretap… Well, what can I say—this is their choice.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
