Takhouhi Tovmasyan Visits Detained MPs Mkhitar Zakaryan and Arthur Sargsyan

The chairwoman of the National Assembly's Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee, Takhouhi Tovmasyan, stated: "Yesterday, together with National Assembly MP Taron Margaryan, we visited our colleagues who are in detention: former Mayor of Meghri and now MP Mkhitar Zakaryan, and former Mayor of Sisian and now MP Arthur Sargsyan.

I must emphasize that both MPs were not depressed, they were physically healthy, and from our conversations, it became clear that they were actively following the internal political developments and the challenges our country is facing.

Arthur Sargsyan assured us that everything was fine on his side. His only concern was the dangers threatening Syunik, which we see manifesting in various ways. Mkhitar Zakaryan was also interested in and worried about security issues in Syunik. Throughout our conversation, he was continuously asking what news there was regarding Syunik, what future awaited it. He assured us that this should be worrying for everyone, all Armenians, while the other issues are manageable.

When we inquired about the injuries he sustained during the 44-day war, Mkhitar Zakaryan mentioned that there is a need for another surgery on his hand; the metal needs to be removed from his body. I asked the prison administration on the spot what steps they are taking to organize Zakaryan’s surgery, and they assured me that the surgery would be organized soon, and that the matter is currently at the stage of collecting documents.

I will be consistent in following up on this issue. It is interesting that the primary and main concern of our colleagues is our Syunik – the backbone of our country, about whose security everyone is thinking in all cases, even while being in detention."