Who Really Ordered the Removal of Nzhdeh's Statue: What Is the Connection Between Russians and Vitaly Balasanyan?

In recent days, the issue of removing the statue of Garegin Nzhdeh in the city of Martuni, Artsakh, has resurfaced. Yesterday, Martuni city council member Artak Mkrtchyan posted on his Facebook page that Artsakh's Security Council Secretary Vitaly Balasanyan arrived in Martuni regarding the statue's removal: "Thanks to the residents of Martuni, the statue remains in its place, but the issue is not fully resolved," he wrote.

Today, in an interview with "First News," Artak Mkrtchyan stated that it is due to the residents of Martuni that Garegin Nzhdeh's statue is still standing in the city. He explained that Balasanyan came to Martuni yesterday, where during a discussion in the city hall, it was suggested that it would be better to temporarily remove the statue without providing any specific reasoning. It was even mentioned that due to this, if Azerbaijani forces were to take one of us prisoner during peaceful conditions, we would not be able to take one of them as a prisoner.

"No clear reason was presented so that we could understand what situation we are in and what steps we need to take. If a clear reason had been provided, perhaps an agreement could have been reached. Since there is no clear reason, we said no, the statue should not be removed. Not everyone was aware that the statue could be removed; fewer people were gathered at that moment, but we still managed to explain our viewpoint, that we will not allow it to be removed," said Mkrtchyan.

He refuted media reports claiming that Balasanyan was expelled from Martuni: "Such a thing did not happen; we just expressed our opinion, and he left. Now I do not know why the city hall is spreading false information that Balasanyan came to Martuni for another issue. Perhaps it was about another issue, but I know that after that, he did not stay and left. The issue was about Garegin Nzhdeh, after which he left."

He asserted, "We will continue to fight. Perhaps there may be conditions under which we will even remove the statue ourselves. For example, if it concerns the return of our captives or recognition of Artsakh’s status, we will remove it ourselves, but not because they say – deceive us, saying it will happen, and then we stand before a fact. We will be the masters of our word. Now we will wait; they will solve this issue, and we will remove it ourselves."

Regarding the question of whether Russian peacekeepers are involved in this matter, the council member stated: "I have neither seen nor heard anything. I have heard discussions that a Russian general wants to have that statue removed, but I have neither seen nor heard who it is and for what reason. Now we are determined and will not allow them to come and remove the statue."

On the same issue, Armenian MP Sofia Hovsepyan, who returned from Artsakh a few days ago, told "First News" that "this issue was discussed at all levels, both in Stepanakert and Martuni, everywhere. Yesterday, I randomly called Artsakh to see what the situation was and found out that Balasanyan was going to Martuni. It later became clear that he was going regarding the Nzhdeh statue issue. I had written earlier that there is a plan to remove the statue from Martuni by May 9. Thus, Balasanyan was there to finalize that process. Yesterday, the residents of Martuni did not allow the statue to be removed; they are ready to stand firm until the end. There was even an offer to remove it and return it on May 10, but the people did not allow it and will not allow it either."

When asked whether she believes the intervention is from the Russian side, Hovsepyan responded, "It is definitely from the Russian side. I cannot say at what high level it is. Maybe someone from the mid-level decided to consider themselves overly 'patriotic' and qualify Nzhdeh with Turkish incitements as fascist. But there is no denying that there is Russian influence in all this. I will be alongside the people of Martuni; if necessary, I will personally go. From the reactions to my post yesterday, it became clear that this is a national issue, not just a whim of a few people. If there are people who can join Vitaly Balasanyan and that goal, we will send everyone to the writer’s corner."

To the comment that it seems the authorities of Artsakh submissively comply with any demands from the Russians, even if it comes from the mid-level, the MP replied: "The president of Artsakh and the Minister of Education used to say that such a thing would not happen, that there is nothing like that, that the information is fake. But the Security Council Secretary, appointed by the same president of Artsakh, who tried to deny this during our meeting, went to realize the operation later."