They Have Started to Exploit the Tragic Incident, Blaming Me for the Deaths of the Children: Z. Batoyan

The Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Zarouhi Batoyan, stated on her Facebook page that there are already attempts to exploit the tragic incident that was reported hours ago in Kotayk Province, blaming her for the deaths of the children.

"They have already started to exploit the tragic incident that was reported hours ago in Kotayk Province, blaming me for the deaths of the children, since two of them—a 15-year-old sister and a 14-year-old brother—were students at a boarding school. Like every weekend, they were living with their grandmother. Preliminary information suggests that they died from carbon monoxide produced by a gas boiler installed in the kitchen. Their parents have divorced and left the country; the grandmother and her four grandchildren were involved in social programs, and vocational training was planned for the brother. The children returned to their family in September and lived with their legal guardian—their grandmother, who loved and cared for them.

I am deeply saddened by what has happened. If anyone, including the ministry and I personally, is responsible for this unfortunate incident, the law enforcement agencies should operate without restraint. As for the moral character of those who exploit such incidents involving children, I leave that to you. Please be cautious and follow safety rules," she wrote.