I Haven't Gotten into a Fight with Anyone, I Haven't Hit Anyone with a Weapon or My Hands: Vahe Enfiajyan

Dear compatriots, the information circulating in the media bears no relation to reality. In fact, my intervention prevented a crime. This was stated by the Vice President of the National Assembly, Vahe Enfiajyan, on his Facebook page in response to reports in the media regarding an incident involving the use of a weapon on Friki Street.

"Specifically, on July 31, I held meetings with residents around the area of the Saint John the Baptist Church, during which I was approached by residents who expressed their concerns about an unstable individual who frequently appears in the area, primarily under the influence of alcoholic beverages, causing distress among the residents, including minor children, with a cold weapon. On the same day, I instructed my assistant to call law enforcement, officially present myself, and inform them that residents of the area had approached the Vice President of the National Assembly out of fear and concern regarding the actions of the aforementioned problematic individual. I would also like to note that I reside in this area myself.

It is important to mention that in the following days, neither I personally nor my assistant were informed of what preventive measures had been taken by law enforcement regarding the raised issue. Then, on the evening of August 2, while I was returning home with my wife, I noticed that the area adjacent to my house was crowded. Trying to understand what was happening from my vehicle, I was approached by children aged 13-14 who responded to my question regarding the commotion by saying that there had been curses, offensive, and threatening remarks in the area.

Therefore, considering the previous alerts and the public safety risk, I exited my vehicle armed with a legally registered self-defense weapon, permitted by the Police of the Republic of Armenia. Upon learning from residents that they had already called the Police and while trying to assess the actual threat or danger to the public before their arrival, I remained in the neighboring area for about 30 minutes and seeing that no one was in any danger, returned home.

The next day, August 3, having not received any information regarding either the July 31 alarm or the August 2 incident, I attempted to understand whether clear actions had been taken by the relevant authorities, but I did not receive a satisfactory answer from the residents. On August 5, I again received information about a man under the influence of alcohol carrying a cold weapon in the area. I immediately called my assistant to find out if there had been a definitive response regarding the issues we had previously raised. We re-established contact to understand the status of our concern, and my contact information was passed along to be updated personally, yet I was not contacted.

Later, I was informed that indeed there is a person in the area who is carrying a knife and is under the influence of alcohol. I had a phone conversation with the head of the Central Police Department, who informed me that as a result of preventive measures taken by the Police, the aforementioned violator had been apprehended, and it was revealed that he was under the influence of alcohol, who possessed a cold weapon and had mental health issues.

I find it necessary to inform the public that I have not gotten into a fight with anyone, I have not hit anyone with a weapon or my hands, and naturally, there can be no injured or affected individuals. Perhaps, the most absurd part of this story for me is that the incident has come to the attention of journalists, rather than the relevant authorities. It is not representatives of law enforcement that are contacting me, but journalists trying to sensationalize inaccurate information.

I will be persistent in ensuring that all visible and non-visible circumstances are brought to light if they remain. I urge my journalist colleagues not to publish inaccurate information. Your failed attempts to drag me into something will not succeed. Focus on your actual work.