I urge to stand by the Armed Forces of Armenia at least one second earlier. Valery Osipyan to the police.

Former Chief of Police of Armenia, Major General Valery Osipyan, who returned to Armenia from Moscow during the war, has not been seen at rallies organized to demand Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's resignation for a long time. It turned out that he has been back in Moscow for a month, but in a conversation with us, he promised to return to Armenia soon and join the fight, standing alongside the Armed Forces of Armenia. This was reported by Hraparak.am.

“Of course, I am following the events taking place in Armenia with great sorrow, and I once again urge my respected and beloved colleagues in the police, because the police's position is very important at this time, to stand by the Armed Forces of Armenia at least one second earlier and never to use force against the people. We have that experience over the years, the vivid evidence being the gatherings in 2018. Honestly, the police could have used force when the square was not yet fully packed with people, but our position was such that no force should be used against peaceful demonstrators. I urge the police in the same way right now, because the police are a non-political structure, and I stand alongside the Armed Forces based on the statement made by them, and I encourage my colleagues to stand alongside the Armed Forces,” said the former police chief in an interview with Hraparak.am.

“Don’t you think this could also lead to accusations of politicizing the police, just as the Armed Forces are accused of this by the authorities?”

I wouldn't say it is politicization, but it is not the case that such situations do not occur in our country every year. One is a police officer, another is from the NSS, another is from the State Revenue Committee, but before they are employees of any structure, they are first citizens of Armenia, and this is the moment when the fate of the Republic of Armenia is being decided. We are making history right now, and years from now, people will evaluate our actions today, and that is what determines the security of our country. I am not saying the police should participate in the rallies. I have noticed that some of my police colleagues perform their duties very diligently, while others are executing illegal orders from their leaders, unjustifiably detaining and arresting peaceful demonstrators just for expressing an opinion.

“Do you think the current Chief of Police Vahe Ghazaryan is issuing illegal orders to go and unjustifiably detain peaceful demonstrators?”

Then the police must ensure peaceful demonstrations and gatherings, as it is enshrined in the law on the freedom of assembly. I am not saying that I have never made a mistake, but I have always acted in accordance with the law, working to make decisions and issuing such orders that do not lead to serious consequences. I am personally against violence.

When you say the police should stand beside the Armed Forces, what does that imply? How should it manifest practically? Should the police chief and the police make such a statement or simply refuse to comply with Nikol Pashinyan’s orders?

You know what, as a serving officer, I am not necessarily waiting for the police chief to give me an order; I am also a citizen, I have my opinion, and there are police officers who voluntarily resign according to their reports, and for that, they are subjected to persecution; they are called in for questioning to the Internal Security Department. That is, there are such officers who do not agree with what is happening in Armenia.

Yes, the police are a non-political structure, I am against that; the police should not be involved in politics, but they also should not carry out illegal actions and orders. Every officer must act according to their conscience.

What do you think, will Police Chief Vahe Ghazaryan, who is said to have close, friendly relations with Nikol Pashinyan, take a decisive step and stand alongside the Armed Forces?

You know what, friendship should not be prioritized over the interests of the state and the people. I welcome friendly relations; I myself am a friend, I have friends, I cherish friendship, but there is a people, there is a statehood, there is a Constitution. However, I hope that Vahe Ghazaryan won't issue illegal orders and won't incite officers to unjustifiably pull and detain citizens. As for whether I hope they will join the Armed Forces, that is my wish. I am telling you, every officer should evaluate the current situation.