I Regret That Certain Circles Managed to Distort My Words Immorally: Naira Zohrabyan

Armenian National Assembly deputy from the Prosperous Armenia Party, Naira Zohrabyan, wrote on her Facebook page: "Dear compatriots of the Republic of Armenia and the Diaspora, the authorities are using all immoral means and disregarding human rights and our personal privacy rights to spread a voice message extracted from my 'Messenger' account, attempting to present it as a disrespectful statement towards our compatriots in the Diaspora. In recent days, I have explained to many of my compatriots living in the Diaspora, with whom I have personal communication, the mechanics of this dirty step by the authorities, but I now find it necessary to address the issue in this format as well.

Dear my brothers and sisters from the Diaspora, who have emigrated from Armenia for various reasons and many of you were forced to leave your homeland for numerous objective reasons. So what happened actually: a woman living in the Diaspora wrote personal insults towards me and my family on my personal 'Messenger,' expressing overt hatred. I respond exclusively to this specific woman with what this authority has publicized in violation of my personal correspondence's inviolability, and which I myself posted on my Facebook page with an accompanying clarification. And this is being attempted to be presented as disrespect towards our compatriots in the Diaspora.

My dear compatriots, I regret that certain circles managed to distort my words, directed at a specific individual who insulted me and my family, in an immoral way and provoked just indignation among many of you. I believe that each of you, if you were insulted along with your family, would behave the same way and would respond certainly much more harshly. As a deputy working in international organizations, I know the powerful force of the Armenian Diaspora and I am aware of the undeniable contribution of our compatriots living in the Diaspora to preserving our nation and enriching Armenia and Artsakh.

But I will continue not to tolerate hatred and insults; I will continue to not tolerate any attempts to incite society with hatred, whoever does it and wherever that person lives. Because hatred and animosity simply dismantle the country, and it is each of our duty, regardless of where we live, at any corner of the world, to stop this generation of hatred and to hold the hand of those spreading hatred and enmity. I apologize to all my compatriots living in the Diaspora if my words directed toward a specific individual were perceived differently and tell you that you are powerful, you are strong, and you are with us, as you have always been, supporting a prosperous and secure Armenia and Diaspora. And I sincerely hope that you will join us in fighting to halt the destructive path of hatred and animosity towards our common homeland. Be healthy, and God be with us all."