Director of Erebuni Museum Blackmailed Over 18+ Video Filmed on Museum Grounds

Discussions are underway on social networks regarding the filming and dissemination of a pornographic video by foreign tourists in the Erebuni archaeological reserve and museum. In this context, Tert.am requested a comment from the director of the Erebuni museum, Mikayel Badalyan.

“Mr. Badalyan, the museum's territory is monitored; how did it happen that tourists managed to film a video and these violations went unnoticed? Who is responsible for overseeing the area?”

“Of course, the territory is monitored by the Erebuni Division of the State Protection Department of the Armenian Police,” replied Badalyan.

“In that case, what actions have been taken regarding this issue, and whom have you referred to?”

“We have appealed to our higher authority, the Yerevan Municipality, to ask the municipality to address the police for further action.”

“There are whispers that some political forces have attempted to blackmail you with this video; is that true, and is it from the government?”

“That is true, but it is not from the government. On the contrary, they have tried to make me appear ‘anti-government.’ Here, I want to note that I am not affiliated with any political force. This video was used to suggest that I should come to terms with their power. Now, I do not want to talk too much about it; there will be an investigation, and I will explain everything in detail at that time. I was hinted that if I do not publicize this video, I should align myself with that force to keep it quiet and then step out of their favor.”

“So, this video was in someone’s possession, who told you ‘we won’t publicize it if you agree to their conditions’?”

“Yes. I certainly rejected that, and I cannot say how the video came to be or who said it, but it is not from the government.”

“One more question related to the museum: today, the Mayor of Yerevan announced that within the framework of cooperation established between the Yerevan Municipality and the Association of Francophone Mayors, the first phase of a program aimed at preserving, evaluating, promoting tourism, and expanding tourist services in the Erebuni archaeological site has begun. What is this program about?”

“This is being implemented with the Yerevan Municipality, the Association of Francophone Mayors, and the Erebuni archaeological reserve-museum. It is a phased program funded by the Association of Francophone Mayors. The goal is to try to obtain bricks in the form of Urartian-era bricks, which will later be used when a brick production facility is established at the Karmir Blur archaeological site. After obtaining the necessary permits and expertise next year, it will be possible to restore endangered parts of several brick buildings in Karmir Blur and Erebuni.”