Most of Those Detained Are Volunteers Who Participated in the Recent Artsakh War: Mayor of Goris

Numerous individuals are being detained from the expanded community of Goris in the Syunik region. Following the Prime Minister's visit yesterday, we spoke with the Mayor of Goris, Arush Arushanyan, about the situation in Syunik. This was reported by Armdaily.

- Mr. Arushanyan, mass arrests are being carried out in several communities in Syunik. Has the police contacted you or have you been summoned for questioning?

- No, I haven’t received any calls from the police, no one has come looking for me, nor have I been contacted. I am currently at my workplace, engaged in our daily duties.

- Do you know who the detainees are, or how many there are?

- It’s a small town, we all know each other. There are a few people who are not in contact. There are rumors that they have been arrested, but I have no information regarding the reasons or where they have been taken. Most of those detained are volunteers who participated in the recent Artsakh war; among the arrested is also one of the liberators of Tagharan in Artsakh.

- Approximately how many people have been detained?

- I don’t know the exact number; there are numerous names being circulated of those who have been detained—perhaps several dozens. I am constantly receiving calls from community residents saying that this person is missing, that person is missing—yet no one knows in which direction the detainees have been taken.

- There were reports in the media that a large police force arrived from Yerevan to Syunik last night. Do you have any information regarding that?

- Yes, there are such rumors. People are talking that this has happened, but I personally have not seen it.

- There were rumors in the media that yesterday's protests in Syunik were organized by the Republican Party of Armenia and supporters of Kocharyan. How do you comment on this?

- Yesterday’s protests were spontaneous demonstrations; people raised their voice in protest because they live just a few meters away from the enemy, they have lost their lands, they have lost their homes. Therefore, it is normal for people to express their grievances. People have lost pastures, lost their possessions, and have no means to live. I believe that was the reason for this spontaneous decision to voice their issues.

- Is it possible that public discontent rose after Aliyev's statement?

- I think that may have been a contributing factor.

- Why did Nikol Pashinyan visit Syunik?

- I don’t know; that question should be directed to him.