The meeting with Alen Simonyan took place in a tense atmosphere, accompanied by bodyguards: Ghukasyan details

After two days of protests, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Alen Simonyan, finally met with ten relatives of captured and missing servicemen yesterday evening. Following the meeting, Simonyan did not provide substantial information, only expressing his gratitude to the relatives.

In an interview with 'Factinfo,' Arsen Ghukasyan, a relative of a missing serviceman, stated that the Speaker deliberately made such a statement. 'He specifically wrote that to put us all in a situation where we enter once again, he places yet another soft pillow under our heads and leaves, but it’s not like that. I only speak for myself—I told him I do not accept your apology,' he said. 'I told him this is not a matter that deserves an apology and then it’s over.'

According to Ghukasyan, during the meeting with the relatives, Simonyan reiterated that the controversial video footage that circulated was edited, with lines taken out of context and meaning completely altered. 'If he is such a good guy, the video was recorded while he was absent, let him publish it, why doesn’t he publish it? He said, 'Do you know that five of the returned captives have criminal cases opened against them?' What does that have to do with his words? There’s no question, let them investigate; if they are guilty, let them be judged. I do not justify anyone. If they investigate that they laid down their weapons, were scared, and surrendered, that’s not for him to say. I said to him while looking into his eyes that it’s not his right—it’s up to the investigative bodies.'

Ghukasyan mentioned that when asked if it was said there were no prisoners, Simonyan answered positively. According to Ghukasyan, this statement was a direct message to Baku. 'Well, yes, and I had said… How can you say there are no prisoners? They started their manipulation, wordplay, and in their style to 'crack down' about a 7-8 minute video, they cut it, and he asked not to be filmed, but according to him 'those bastard Dashnaks filmed it and edited it.' If he knows such a thing will be said that will go public and become a topic, why did he speak? He said, 'I got a kick—I spoke.' I told him it’s not like you are the chicken from yesterday for an easy kick. He said, 'Why do you call me a chicken?' But he said that. He said the kick is not only given to chickens; they also place it on tables during parties—that’s also a kick.'

According to Ghukasyan, Simonyan apologized, and some parents might have accepted it or not. He respects the opinions of others, but personally, he does not forgive the Speaker of the National Assembly. 'I told him, God forbid, if because of your expression a hair of my child falls out. I said, at that time I will talk to you differently. I told him this in front of his young aides, who filled the whole hall. They didn’t even place water bottles on the tables, as if you’re a human who throws a bottle is in vogue. If you want water, the aides come—he turned it into a Swiss service, serving; they pour the water themselves. I said we’ll pour it ourselves; they said no, it’s not allowed. What have you arranged here?'

Ghukasyan remarked that he cannot say anything about the future actions of the relatives, as he is deeply disappointed. 'People talk, but when it comes to concrete actions, you see the same people who have always been—30-40 people. We cannot achieve results this way. They tell us what business the Dashnaks or members of the 'Hayastan' alliance have by your side; I say I am not in politics today; my struggle today is for my child, my child is more valuable than any seat. Whether I am disappointed in the parents or my nation. I love my homeland, but I do not wish for my nation to be scorned and demeaned,' he said.

When we tried to inquire whether he has information that all captured servicemen might return by the end of the year, in light of the upcoming border demarcation and delimitation processes, Ghukasyan stated he has no information. The government and the Red Cross have not provided such information. He noted that their only acknowledgment of work comes from the efforts of RA Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan, human rights defender Siranush Sahakyan, Armenia’s representative to the ECHR Yeghishe Kirakosyan, and the head of the National Security Service Armen Abazyan, who are trying to do everything possible for the return of missing servicemen and prisoners.

'Azerbaijan was supposed to return prisoners under the November 9 agreement; has it returned them? Then why should I believe that if the process starts, it will return the prisoners? Azerbaijan might say one thing and do another—you cannot trust the enemy. If you befriend a dog, don’t drop the stick from your hand. If Nikol wants to be friends—let him be.'

It is noteworthy that a scandalous video featuring Speaker of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan circulated online, in which he depicted the captives as deserters, stating that they no longer exist for him. Following the video, relatives of captured, fallen, and missing servicemen conducted protests for two days, demanding explanations from the Speaker of the National Assembly.