Pavlik Manukyan Expresses Discontent: A Division Has Been Sown Between Artsakh and Armenia

Pavlik Manukyan, a member of the 'Sasna Tsrer' group, stated that there have been no positive changes in the country after the change of power. In a conversation with Tert.am, Manukyan noted that the people's uprising was redirected by a few individuals who took them elsewhere.

“Everything has turned into an Augean stable. Only the face of the ruling group has changed,” he said.

According to Manukyan, they absolutely lack a national mindset.

“Moreover, they have come to sow division between Artsakh and Armenia. In front of our own eyes, they changed the name of corruption, called it rewards, or deprived people of their jobs under the name of optimization. They escaped from uniting the villages of Armenia, and now they’ve moved on to the ministries, ultimately deciding to eliminate the Ministry of Diaspora, which is a very dangerous anti-national phenomenon,” he stated in the interview.

He characterized the trials against former president and other officials as “a way to let off steam” and nothing more.

In response to the observation that part of society believes he is ungrateful, having received freedom but still criticizes, Manukyan replied: “But we didn’t demand freedom from them; we demanded freedom for the people. Even now, they can change the preventive measure, which is worth nothing to me. I don't care about such justice and the pretentious amnesty of changing our preventive measure. I don’t need amnesty; my uprising was justified.”

The 'Sasna Tsrer' member remains convinced that he is ready to rise up again if danger arises. When asked if it would be through armed means again, he responded: “I'm not saying it’s obligatory, but if necessary... the previous government was conducting state terrorism. If the same thing happens again, of course, I will rebel; I am doing this for my people, aren’t I?”

Manukyan declined to discuss his relationships with members of the 'Sasna Tsrer' group, whose paths crossed during the pre-election period. He only noted that he has not completely severed ties with them, adding that they merely legitimized these elections with their participation. “I don’t want to talk about that topic; the time will come, and everything will show who was right and who remained just the standard-bearer of the group,” he stated.