Vanețyan: Let's Assume That This Was One of the Key Points of 'Stop'

It is very important that there are institutions in the country that record the supremacy of the law, regardless of the political power's wishes at any given moment. The notorious Article 300.1 has long been unconstitutional for me.

Arthur Vanețyan, the leader of the 'Homeland' party, stated this in an interview with Hraparak.am.

Mr. Vanețyan, the Constitutional Court's decision yesterday was a cold shower for many. What consequences do you think it may have for upcoming political processes?

I consider that decision a logical outcome and a very important juncture for the state, primarily from a legal standpoint. Political processes in this case are secondary. It is very important that institutions are functioning in the country that record the supremacy of the law, regardless of the political power's desires at that moment. The notorious Article 300.1 has long been unconstitutional for me.

Mr. Vanețyan, there is a widespread view that this very topic was at the root of your resignation and the famous 'Stop'. Were you warning the current authorities about this when you left the position of NSS director?

Let's assume that this was one of the important points of 'Stop'. Yes, I have never hidden my views both on this case and on the unacceptable pressures on the Constitutional Court that have lasted for months. We should have used that time to restore public solidarity and avoid war.

The decision of the Constitutional Court yesterday has personal significance for me; for my teammates and the people who trust me, this is yet another proof that I was right at the time. This is important for those still in power, as my warnings were based solely on the interests of the state. It turns out that with an unconstitutional and invalidated article, we had internal enmity, serious problems with Russia, unacceptable tension in the CSTO, a decline in the moral-psychological climate in the army, and so on.

You mentioned that this was an important, but not the only theme of 'Stop'. Can you tell us what the other themes are?

Of course, I will. Although 'Stop' was technically directed at one person, it was an alarm for the whole society, and many of its points share the same sharpness. So I will definitely talk about that soon.

Final question: what should follow from the Constitutional Court's decision?

Resignations... from the political and law enforcement systems, as well as at least asking for human forgiveness from those pursued in this infamous case.