Hayrapetyan said, 'I told them to transfer 2 million and don’t call me anymore': Mother of the deceased recounts

On May 23, no charges have yet been brought against any individual in connection with the tragic accident in Artsakh. The mother of Eric Avagyan, Gyulnara Avagyan, contacted the Armenian Times editorial office to express her concern that attempts are being made to cover up her son's case.

According to preliminary information, the car of former president of the Armenian Football Federation and former MP Rubén Hayrapetyan, a 'LEXUS LX 470', struck contract soldier Gevorg Sarukhanyan due to reckless driving, resulting in Sarukhanyan’s death. The vehicle was reported to be traveling at such high speed that it resulted in an accident, claiming the life of Eric Avagyan, who was also inside the car. According to circulating information, Hayrapetyan's bodyguard was present inside the vehicle, and Eric Avagyan, whose mother reached out to us, had been employed at Hayrapetyan's house in Artsakh.

“I am a single mother, my son was working and studying. When Rubén Hayrapetyan came to Artsakh, my son worked for him. Hayrapetyan did not pay my son poorly; people liked my child. For two years, I had been telling my son to leave that job, but he said, ‘Mom, I can’t, do you want me to be killed on the way, or for someone to hurt you?’ On the last day he was supposed to go, he absolutely did not want to. Today, I am selling everything I have at home so that I can arrange my son’s grave,” Avagyan’s mother expressed her distress to the media.

Avagyan stated that efforts are being made to cover up the case. “I went to the investigator and asked why the driver hasn’t been charged yet; they said it hasn’t been proven that he is guilty. I said, ‘But who is to blame? Why haven’t you seen that they opened over 200 in speed?’ They are trying 100% to cover this up. I told the investigator to show me the documents, and he said he doesn’t have them. I asked if there will be a trial; he said yes, but he can't say when. My son's watch has disappeared, his simple ring is missing, the phone from Artsakh is lost. I have nothing to lose; I know that tomorrow anything can happen to me, I expect everything from them already.”

When asked by the Armenian Times whether Hayrapetyan had offered financial support, Gyulnara Avagyan replied, “Not a thing, they only arranged the burial until the fortieth day. After that, someone was sent to see the grave and check what is needed. After some time passed, I called Hayrapetyan to ask why they weren’t fixing it. Soon it’s my son’s birthday in November, and he said to me, ‘I told them to transfer 2 million and don’t call me here anymore.’ Why am I asking for mercy from you? I had already arranged a small block for my son’s grave. Those people who came to see the grave told me that Hayrapetyan said he would give that money too. I said I don’t need that money; my child was supposed to get engaged; I paid for that. Just fix the grave. I have a sick mother and it’s just me; I don’t need anything else. Recently, I called Hayk Adonts, Hayrapetyan's bodyguard, and said, ‘This is Eric’s mother,’ and he said, ‘I am driving,’ and has not answered my calls since. I did not want anything; I merely wanted to know what my son talked about in his last moments.”

Avagyan noted that the 2 million mentioned by Hayrapetyan has not been transferred.

The Armenian Times also sought a comment from former President of the Football Federation Rubén Hayrapetyan. When asked if it is true that he told Eric Avagyan’s mother, ‘I’ll transfer 2 million, and don’t call me anymore,’ Hayrapetyan responded, “It’s one of lies. I have done what I needed to for them. I have nothing to do with this car accident; my car wasn’t involved. I told her that I am ready to give you another 2 million drams for arranging the grave. Perhaps she wants to build a palace; what should I do? If she took out a loan 10 years ago and says, ‘You need to pay this off,’ what can I do?”