Balasanyan Said: Assign Me to Defend Shushi, but He Was Not Allowed to Do So, Vanetsyan

During a meeting between Artsakh hero and Major General Vitaly Balasanyan and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Balasanyan promised to carry out the defense of Shushi, to which Pashinyan agreed. This was stated by Arthur Vanetsyan, the leader of the "Homeland" party and former head of the National Security Service, during the 5th Channel's "Interview" program.

“On October 25 or 26, Artsakh hero, Major General Vitaly Balasanyan met with Pashinyan in Yerevan. This meeting was strange for everyone, as Balasanyan is one of those who strongly criticizes Nikol Pashinyan. Balasanyan asked Pashinyan what the most difficult direction we have on the front line is, and Pashinyan responded, 'Shushi.' Balasanyan said, 'Assign me the defense of Shushi, and if I fail, this will be a reason for you to publicly state that Vitaly Balasanyan was unable to carry out the defense of Shushi, Shushi fell, and you can call me a traitor.' Pashinyan agreed and told Balasanyan to go ahead and take on the defense of Shushi,” Vanetsyan said.

He noted that immediately after that meeting, Balasanyan issued a battle call, urging his fellow soldiers to come to Artsakh and join the fight. However, according to Vanetsyan, Balasanyan was not allowed to join the defense of Shushi.

“Balasanyan never took on the defense of Shushi until the last day. He was told in Artsakh that we did not receive such an order. The question arises: Why was Balasanyan not allowed to carry out the defense of Shushi?”