Why a Day of Mourning Has Not Been Declared After the Deaths of 15 Soldiers: A Response from the MP of the Civil Contract Party

Armen Khachatryan, a member of the Civil Contract party faction, stated in a conversation with journalists that significant changes have begun in the army. In response to the assertion that the tragedy in the village of Azat highlighted serious issues within the military, the MP said that the basic conditions in the barracks were provided.

“But no matter what basic conditions were provided, if 5-liter gasoline is poured onto a fire, no security measures could ensure that harm would not occur. The question of whether changes could arise in the severity of the consequences is different; a criminal case has been initiated, and after all the circumstances are clarified, we will understand what needs to be done,” Khachatryan noted.

According to him, the current conditions of makeshift housing must be improved, and adequate shelters are being prepared while resolving related security issues. He mentioned that a day of mourning has not been declared after the incident because Armenia is in a hybrid war. “The situation of war could arise at any moment in Armenia and the region. Considering a number of other factors, the government has not declared a day of mourning,” Khachatryan said.