I Was Told I Am a Harm to Meghri, I Should Not Be in Meghri: Former Commander of Meghri Military Unit on Dismissal

ArmDaily.am's interlocutor is the former commander of the Meghri military unit, Argam Gevorgyan.

- Mr. Gevorgyan, a service investigation was initiated against you based on a complaint from one of the female employees of your unit, claiming you were involved in political activities. What did the service investigation reveal?

- I have never engaged in politics; I do not like politics. The service investigation showed that I am clean and that all accusations against me were unfounded.

- In that case, what are the reasons behind the accusations of your political involvement?

- I was told not to associate with my friend, the mayor of Meghri, Mkhitar Zakaryan; even my father cannot say such a thing to me. Why should I not communicate with my friends? No one has the right to prohibit me, especially those friends with whom I fought side by side in the battlefield and got wounded. Mkhitar Zakaryan and I, along with the former director of ‘Arevik’ Park, Gagik Gevorgyan, were all wounded together. How can I avoid friends like that?

- I am accused of insulting the authorities, and I say let them prove it, but they cannot because that has not happened.

- Will you continue your service in the army?

- No, I will not continue. They told me they would transfer me to the reserve, but I refused to continue my service. I have served 25 years, I fulfilled my duty to the country, participated in wars. I refused to be included in the reserve.

- How did they justify your dismissal from service?

- They said I am a harm to Meghri, I should not be in Meghri. Well, if I am a harm, then I will leave so that Meghri is not in ‘danger’.

- What is the basis for such an accusation?

- Perhaps I hit a Turk — how would I know?

- The contract with Grigori Khachaturov was also postponed. Do you think this is a continuation of the same chain regarding you?

- As long as there are fighting commanders, they are all removed. They will not be able to find a commander like Khachaturov; there is no one like him. How can you dismiss a commander like him from the army?

- So, how do you explain such policies from the authorities?

- Perhaps they want to generate Lexus generals and commanders who will only follow their orders obediently.

- What will you do after completing your service?

- I will go to America, where my parents are; I have not seen my parents for 18 years. I will go and relieve my longing. Why should I stay here?

- Do you regret that your service ended prematurely?

- I feel sadness.