Ruben Melikyan: I See High-Ranking Officials Partying While I'm Denied Access

No, but it truly is an occasion to get angry. Today, our police did not allow me to visit the values of the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage, despite the fact that there was NO danger from an epidemic standpoint, while ‘the high-ranking officials’ are partying in dozens and even publishing photos. This was written by Ruben Melikyan, co-founder of the NGO ‘Legal Path’ on his Facebook page.

He particularly pointed out: “My visit posed no danger because I was wearing a mask and gloves, and I was ready to maintain social distancing as needed. Besides, the infection was in the village itself, and I had no intention of interacting with the residents of Areni.

Restricting my access to Noravank and the Holy Mother of God Church in Areni was, in fact, a disproportionate limitation on freedom of conscience and religion. Only out of respect for the police's difficult job and realizing the real dangers of COVID, treating it as a ‘mitigating circumstance,’ did I not create a scene regarding the illegitimate ban imposed on me by higher authorities.

Then I see that high-ranking officials are partying without distancing and without limits on numbers. This is not how it should be.

By the way, the police officer who spoke to me was very professional and responsible.