What Did Alen Simonyan Discuss with the Relatives of Captured and Missing Soldiers? Arsen Ghukasyan Provides Details

Relatives of a missing soldier, Arsen Ghukasyan, was among those detained yesterday. After being released, he participated in a meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Alen Simonyan, which was organized following a protest that erupted after the release of a controversial video regarding prisoners of war.

In an interview with ArmDaily.am, Ghukasyan stated that during the meeting, Simonyan claimed that the video was edited and not the complete material. “During the meeting, it was discussed that he (Simonyan) said it was an edited video, that it was not the whole thing, merely phrases were taken, stitched together and presented to us. I specifically ask, ‘Did you say this sentence?’, and he says yes, and I respond, ‘You do not have that right. You are neither an investigative body nor anyone important. Who are you to make such statements?’ I directly say to him, looking into his eyes in that hall, the same thing I’m publicly saying,” said Ghukasyan, adding, “I made it clear that I am not afraid of any of you and you cannot intimidate me.”

He further added that he demanded an answer to his question and pointed out that he saw Simonyan making a post that tried to present their visit as if they went to listen like “fools.” “No, he apologized. I am not asking for your apology; I do not accept his apology—I specifically say this on my behalf, I cannot speak for everyone,” noted the relative of the missing soldier.

Arsen Ghukasyan also mentioned that Alen Simonyan stated that during any trip, when meeting with representatives of various international organizations, he is prepared to set aside his dignity and plead for the return of the prisoners. “He says, ‘Wherever we go, wherever we enter state structures or international places, we do everything. I will set aside my pride, whether it’s this coat or something else. I can plead, ask to return those kids, the prisoners.’ He says they (the authorities) are saying that there are few; I say there are over a hundred prisoners and I force them to recognize that,” Ghukasyan elaborated. “Can you imagine? So he is supposedly so compassionate, saying he does everything to bring these prisoners home, to clarify the status of the missing. He says he is ready to sleep in front of their doors; I clearly remember those words.”

Arsen Ghukasyan indicated that it appeared as though Simonyan was the one who cared for them the most. “It seems like he is the one who cares the most for us; we are the idiots who do not understand.” Ghukasyan added that during their conversation, Simonyan informed them that a criminal case has been launched against five of the ten returning prisoners from the day before. “He tells us, ‘Are you aware that a criminal case has been initiated against five prisoners, I do not remember the exact number, against those who returned?’ I asked, ‘Who are you talking about?’ He said, ‘These are the ones who returned.’” Ghukasyan rebutted the Speaker’s comments, questioning their relevance to his previous statements about the prisoners. “Those boys are no longer prisoners; their status has already changed; they are here. I asked why he is saying this; he began his nonsense, stating he had not seen them on the first day. They are professionals, but this does not go through. Perhaps earlier we were a bit naive; we might not have understood in these manipulative games, I don’t know what we are to realize, but this year’s experience has shown that there’s no trustworthy word from these people,” said Ghukasyan.

Addressing the unity of the parents of the captured and missing soldiers, he expressed that he has always wanted all parents to unite, as their grief is the same, but there are specific institutions created by the government and authorities that actively work against this. “They use every opportunity to sow division among the parents, to create distrust amongst them. This is how they divided us. If you remember, when we used to gather near the Ministry of Defense, there were so many of us, and they brought us to this day. Only a few parents remain who are willing to sacrifice themselves for their children,” noted Ghukasyan.

He indicated that they do not plan anything at the moment due to certain health issues. Ghukasyan added that he was displeased with the way some parents spoke to Alen Simonyan during the meeting. “You know how; so soft, Mr. Simonyan. Why ‘Mr.’? He looks into your eyes and deceives you. You, Mr. Simonyan, if a person says something in one place, he should continue speaking the same in every place. It is not right to stand outside and say I am like this, then face him and call him ‘Mr. Simonyan.’ I told that parent that outside comments should match inside comments.”

Quoting Simonyan’s words, Ghukasyan noted that Simonyan justified by saying that he trusted and had asked in advance if they were filming, to which Ghukasyan pointed out that the Speaker of the National Assembly should know where and what to speak about. Regarding the secret discussions that were alleged to have occurred during the meeting, Ghukasyan stated that he did not hear anything of that sort and was unaware of it. “Perhaps during the piece I was distracted and did not hear, but I did not hear such a thing,” he concluded.