Journalist Tatul Hakobyan Raises Alarm: He is Being Threatened with Death

Journalist Tatul Hakobyan has raised an alarm, stating that he is being threatened with death. He has addressed an open letter to the journalistic community of Armenia, the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, the Prosecutor General of Armenia, law enforcement agencies, and the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan.

“My visit to the United States, which is being conducted with the participation and support of the Armenian Studies ANI Center, eight American-Armenian organizations (Ararat-Eskijian Museum, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party-Ramgavars, Armenian Network of America-Greater NY, Family of Vagharshak Shahinian, Family of Yegishe Catchouny, Knights of Vartan-Bakradouny Lodge, National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, NAASR, St. Leon Armenian Church) and several individuals, has been overshadowed by threats, revenge calls, and even calls for my life,” Hakobyan stated in his letter.

This massive campaign of threats is reportedly directed from both Armenia and the Armenian communities in the United States. Hakobyan promised to provide detailed information after his return to Yerevan. “The threats are still present on social media, partially during my already held meetings, but given their organized nature and scale from a single center, I am compelled to address the journalistic organizations, the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, and law enforcement agencies for the first time during my 30-year professional career,” he noted.

According to Hakobyan, the threats directed at him stem from his comments made on the air of a television station in Armenia: “ARMENIA IS THE PLACE WHERE THE ARMENIAN SOLDIER STANDS FIRM.” He clearly stated that in 1918 Armenia was 10,000 square kilometers, in the summer of 1920 it was 60,000, in the autumn of 1920 it was 30,000, in 1994 it was 42,000, and today, after the disastrous war of 2020, it stands at 33,000 square kilometers. “This opinion has been met, no matter how absurd it may sound, with threats from those dreaming of Greater Armenia,” he added.

From December 1 to 10, Hakobyan conducted a series of lectures at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio, and in California. His last, fifth lecture is scheduled for December 9 in New Jersey, organized by eight Armenian institutions in the sanctuary of the St. Leon Armenian Church of the Eastern Diocese of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. He will present the English edition of “THE PATH OF HEROES,” which tells about the heroes of General Andranik and Vagharshak Shahinian of Sardarapart.

Considering that the threats against him are serious, organized, and extremely dangerous, the organizers of the presentation of General Andranik’s book have offered to ensure the presence of law enforcement in the U.S., which he has agreed to. “Thus, in my last two days in the U.S., I will be under full protection,” he stated.

Upon returning to Armenia on December 10 via the New York-Moscow-Yerevan route, he will immediately report to the Armenian law enforcement agencies, providing specific names, surnames, images, videos, and texts containing specific threats, naming those individuals who are financially and ideologically supporting this entire campaign.

“I understand and feel extremely uncomfortable that during these nightmarish days for Armenia, I am addressing journalistic organizations, the Human Rights Defender, law enforcement agencies, and the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan. However, this organized, directed, and threatening campaign against me cannot remain in the realm of the individual and must be prevented through civilized means. I will not enter into any contact with those who issue threats and those standing behind them,” Hakobyan concluded respectfully.