Authorities Know We Will Block the Works on the Syunik Corridor, They Want to Arrest Us: Arush Arushanyan

The authorities know that we will be obstructing the works on the Syunik corridors and will not let such things happen. Therefore, they want to arrest us and easily resolve the issue. This was stated today, June 7, by Goris Mayor Arush Arushanyan during an interview with reporters before the court session of the administrative head of Karahunj, Lusine Avetisyan.

“I am ready to be judged as long as our people are not taken every day, frightened. If they want to judge, let them, but they should leave elderly people, village heads, and our employees alone. People are already emigrating due to lack of work and this atmosphere. All our administrative leaders are being summoned. I have information that yesterday the entire population of the village of Vorotan was taken to the police on the same issue. I am ready today, anyway, my principles will not change,” he noted.

According to Arushanyan, the arrest of Lusine Avetisyan is another instance of intimidation. “We will not allow any employee or citizen to say, ‘Come and vote for us’. These are just additional intimidations, and our citizens are being told to file complaints against Arush, or else they will be prosecuted. I can never allow myself to do such a thing. But they, using administrative resources, are frightening people, telling teachers that they will be dismissed, which is normal for them, but in my perception, it is wrong,” said Arush Arushanyan.

It is worth noting that Lusine Avetisyan, the head of the Karahunj community in the Goris region, was arrested on June 5 on suspicion of distributing electoral bribes and coercing residents to participate in the elections.