I Advise You to Think a Bit Before You Speak: Robert Kocharyan's Son Responds to Serge Tankian

The younger son of the second President of Armenia and defendant in the March 1 case, Levon Kocharyan, addressed American-Armenian rock musician Serge Tankian on his Facebook page, referencing the musician's statement regarding Robert Kocharyan's imprisonment.

Recall that today, the musician wrote on his Facebook page: "I am glad to hear that former President Robert Kocharyan is back in prison. The Armenian people want and deserve justice for the injustices that were committed in the past. All guilty parties must be held accountable."

Levon Kocharyan's full response is presented below:

"Serge,

Today I learned how pleased you were about my father's imprisonment. I have always appreciated your group's work, mainly because you also advocated for the recognition of the genocide and demanded justice, for which my father fought, during whose time, by the way, the greatest number of countries recognized the Armenian Genocide—15 countries.

Presenting yourself as an advocate for a country of law contradicts your stance when you do not condemn the open pressures and threats against the courts by the authorities.

How many times have we had the opportunity to dine together and touch on various issues, including political ones? I think it would be more sincere of you to ask me about the "billions" and other low-quality gossip that so troubles you, most of which, by the way, were invented, mocked, and disseminated by the government you trust unconditionally.

Being successful in the music industry is good, but when you speak about the president of two countries that won a war—who played a key role in the liberation of our homeland, the international recognition of the genocide, and the uplift of Armenia's economy—I advise you to think a bit before you speak, especially regarding patriotism. Time will certainly reveal the truth; I hope you will still have something to say at that time."