This Time Punches, Next Time Will the ARF Open Fire? - Zhamanak

According to the newspaper "Zhamanak," a number of ARF members visited the Central Police Department the other day and stated, "I assaulted opposition activist Vardan Harutyunyan for his posts and expressions."

ARF prominent figure, the actual head of "Yerkir Media" television, Gegham Manukyan, essentially framed the purpose of their action: "This attests to one thing, and the public understands that vulgar and immoral expressions have no place, that such statements regarding our national values, traditions, and such expressions concerning Artsakh have no place—an assault on a grandfather in the presence of a grandson has no place, like what we witnessed a few days ago."

In the morning, no one could have predicted that the incident involving opposition activist Vahagn Harutyunyan would have such a dramatic turn. On June 3, Facebook user Vardan Harutyunyan called the operational management center of the police in Yerevan and reported that he had been attacked in the yard of 3/A Teryan Street.

Vardan Harutyunyan informed his followers on Facebook that he had been assaulted and subjected to violence. He had also alerted about the violence a few days prior: "The police have not been able to reveal and ensure my safety during all these days. Therefore, I am forced to take justice into my own hands to secure my safety. Armenian Police, you no longer exist," he wrote.

The activist blames ARF members and supporters of former President Robert Kocharian for the violence against him. Previously, on April 23, he had filed a report against ARF youth for burning the Turkish flag.

Later, he was among those who attacked ARF figure Hrant Margaryan, who was out with his grandchildren in Freedom Square.

In fact, dramatic events have unfolded over the last month, which law enforcement agencies have only observed in a monitoring capacity. Just yesterday, the police announced that one person had been apprehended in connection with Vardan Harutyunyan's assault, which was followed by the ARF action.

This action is unique and exceptional in the recent history of Armenia, as a whole party apparently admits to organizing the assault on a citizen for spreading hatred, defaming the leaders of Artsakh and Bishop Pargev on social media, and participating in the incident involving prominent ARF figure Hrant Margaryan. Agree, this is indeed an extraordinary event, especially since the ARF promises to continue its strategy of extrajudicial punishment, which is fraught with unpredictable consequences.

Perhaps, the traditional party, which possesses methods of struggle including violent ones, will resort to more radical actions, such as deciding to physically eliminate those who dare to criticize or insult the party, or even being involved in the truly condemnable incident related to Hrant Margaryan.

Details in today’s newspaper issue.