Veteran Ends Hunger Strike as Defense Ministry Promises Support

A veteran and father of five, sergeant Mkhitar Alumyann had declared a hunger strike outside the Defense Ministry building since December 10. Alumyann stated that the ministry had promised him either a new apartment or the renovation of his current home.

He reported that the ministry had prepared a document regarding the provision or renovation of his apartment. However, the spokesperson for the Defense Ministry, Artur Hovhannisyan, mentioned yesterday that the document was not for the allocation of funds but rather an assessment of the renovation costs.

According to the spokesperson, the ministry needed to take steps, such as finding a benefactor to provide the necessary funds.

In an interview with A1+ today, Alumyann said that he visited the military police this morning, accompanied by military police officers, and met with the deputy chief of the military police, followed by a meeting with the chief of the Yerevan garrison military police, Misak Sahakyan. He stated, “We talked and it seems a benefactor has emerged, through whom my family will either get a new home or have our current one repaired by spring. Additionally, they promised work in March at a flour production facility in Yeghvard with a daily wage of 15,000 dram.”

Alumyann noted that they agreed he would return home, and the Defense Ministry would fulfill its promise. “I felt that they genuinely want to do everything because I quote their words: ‘We want to save the Armenian household, not destroy it,’” he said.

The veteran also mentioned that he would share details of the events that transpired during a Facebook live session later in the evening.

Shortly after the phone conversation, Alumyann called to inform that under the auspices of a benefactor, around 20 bags of food had been delivered to his apartment by the chief of the Abovyan military police, Styopa Sheroyan, along with personnel from the Police. The delivery included fruits, vegetables, cake, sweets, and other holiday treats such as basturma and sujuk.