At One Point, the Case of R. Kocharyan Was Unacceptable for You: Bakhsheyan to Vazgen Manukyan

“I live in a country that is close to 1937. Any people can be deceived, but not for long. Society must resist and also explain to the authorities the dangers of such actions for Armenia. We will weaken, we are going backwards,” said Vazgen Manukyan, the president of the Public Council, during the council’s meeting on November 7.

In response, Public Council member, former National Assembly deputy, former member of the Yerevan City Council, and education expert Anahit Bakhsheyan asked, “Mr. Manukyan, are you proposing a new revolution?” To which V. Manukyan replied, “To resist does not mean to make a revolution.”

According to Manukyan, the criminal case against Ara Babloyan is unacceptable to him. Bakhsheyan also reminded him, “At one point, the case of R. Kocharyan was unacceptable for you as well.”

Nearly all members of the Public Council insisted that the body is necessary. Larisa Alaverdyan, director of the NGO “Against Legal Arbitrary,” pointed out that the body can be effective if it is treated appropriately by the authorities. Issues such as housing conditions and funding remain unresolved in the council. According to Alaverdyan, any public issue that resonates should reach the government through the Public Council in a civilized manner rather than through insults.

“But lo and behold, blocking streets or cursing or yelling becomes that counter-culture that is rooted in us. I never thought that the Armenian language would be used by women on social networks to spread insults,” said Alaverdyan.

Arshak Sadoyan, leader of the ARFD party, also addressed his remarks to the Vice Speaker of the National Assembly, Alen Simonian, stating that before considering the Public Council as an unnecessary and meaningless body, the Armenian authorities should first respond to their 11 letters sent to the government before making any assessments about the council.