Using My Name to Deceive Parents Waiting for Their Sons' Return for a Few Extra Votes: Naira Zohrabyan

Armenian MP Naira Zohrabyan has taken to her Facebook page to address a grave issue. She stated, "I wouldn’t speak on this matter if I had not been approached by multiple individuals who informed me that representatives of certain political forces are entering the homes of families of prisoners of war and missing soldiers during this election period. They are providing hope to these families in my name, misleading parents of missing soldiers by claiming that it has been confirmed that their sons are captured, and that Naira Zohrabyan, utilizing her connections and resources, has promised to return your son. This is immoral.

Using my name to deceive parents waiting every day for their sons’ return in order to gain a few extra votes is political theft. I reiterate that I do not participate in any political party's election campaign, and my responsibility during this time will be to monitor the course of the elections with my colleagues. Even when parents of missing and captured soldiers have expressed their willingness to provide political support to me, I have categorically refused, as playing with parents’ hopes and emotions is unethical.

Each of us, if we have any, even the slightest opportunity to engage with or learn about the prisoners of war and the missing, must do so. This is the bare minimum we owe, and seeking political bonuses here while extracting a few extra votes from the pain of parents is sheer hooliganism.

The head of the ‘Legal Path’ organization, Silanush Sahakyan, also informed me that in some regions, people are entering homes and making false promises to parents in my name. Dear parents, I am in daily contact with many of you; we discuss all possible legal avenues for the return of your sons in captivity and to gather information about the missing. I keep you updated on each of my steps and the work being done every day, and we will continue to work together until the last prisoner returns home. The rest is political corpse-pulling.”