Protest in Kulikam Against Interrogations Related to Murder and Disturbances

Today, on August 16, in the village of Kulikam, young people have received notifications ordering them to appear for questioning regarding the murder and subsequent disturbances that occurred in Akhalkalaki on August 8. Residents of Kulikam gathered in the center of the village, demanding to be left alone in their mourning and sadness, stating that they are ready to go for questioning as a whole village. This was reported by Jnews.ge.

In the morning, local police officers visited Kulikam, and according to residents, even the head of the Akhalkalaki police was present. Police distributed notifications for questioning in Akhalkalaki to between 15 and 40 young men. Residents of Kulikam, led by the father of the deceased Vard Miranyan, gathered in the village center and demanded that the youth be left alone.

“My demand is that they do not take the boys. My son has died, and if another's son suffers in this process, then my life will no longer have meaning. I will consider that nothing has happened; I will consider that I sacrificed my son. We are not going to take revenge or show hostility. We have gathered to ensure that the youth of the village are not questioned due to my son's death, and that they are left in peace. I also told the police that if they take any boy to Akhaltsikhe and imprison him, I will set myself on fire in the center of the city,” says Arsen Miranyan.

Residents of Kulikam, both men and women, informed the police that they will not allow the youth to be taken for questioning and are prepared to go as a whole village. They say, let them bring buses and take everyone.

The police stated that they need to speak with their superiors before giving a response to the villagers. Participants are waiting for the police's answer.

It is noteworthy that on August 8, around 7:00 PM, during a minor altercation in the center of Akhalkalaki, 27-year-old Vardik Miranyan, a resident of Kulikam, was shot and killed, which led to disturbances in Akhalkalaki. The residents of Kulikam burned the homes of the shooter, A. Gabrielyan, as well as his ancestral home and hotel, in addition to the houses of participants in the fight, Karen Khosyan and Gena Zarmaryan. Special forces and police units were mobilized at the scene.

Arthur Gabrielyan has been arrested in connection with the murder, and the investigation into the murder and mass disturbances is ongoing.