‘Artsakh is holding its breath, watching the movement intensify hour by hour’: Ashot Ghulyan

Ashot Ghulyan, the former President of the Artsakh National Assembly, wrote on his Facebook page: ‘Artsakh is holding its breath, watching the movement intensify hour by hour in the center of Yerevan and, since yesterday, in the outskirts of the capital and throughout the regions of Armenia.’

‘Those who participated in the marches and rallies of ’88 can testify that today’s popular movement is a continuation of the national awakening that began 34 years ago, with many similarities. Among these commonalities, there is one unpleasant point: during the events of the last century, those who rose up for the freedom of Artsakh were kidnapped, beaten, and imprisoned by our barbarous neighbors. Today, in the heart of the motherland, the calls not to leave Artsakh alone are being met with madness… it’s even shameful to say who.’

‘Who would think that 30 years ago, during these very days, the Armenian city of Shushi, finally liberated, which opened a heroic chapter of Artsakh’s struggle, would be referred to as ‘unfortunate and dull’ 28 years later by someone who took it upon themselves to lecture our nation? This reflects the extravagance and misery of today’s authorities.’

‘Since the declaration of independence in 1991, until 2018, all leaders of Armenia have been authorities for all three segments of the Armenian people—Mother Armenia, Artsakh, and the Diaspora. The nation had a protector and had no reason to be ashamed. It required special talent to dismantle all of this fundamentally. No one has the right to take away the joy and significance of the May Triple Celebration from our nation.’