Law Enforcement Turn a Blind Eye to Incident of Violence Involving RPA Members in Dilijan: 'Zhoghovurd'

'Zhoghovurd' newspaper reports that the law enforcement system is turning a blind eye to the incident of violence involving RPA members in Dilijan. Specifically, the newspaper contacted the Prosecutor General's Office to clarify whether the prosecutor's office has taken any action regarding the physical altercation involving RPA members in Dilijan. In response to our inquiry, they stated that no criminal proceedings have been initiated.

Recall that on June 16, RPA members started a brawl at their gathering in Dilijan. Our sources indicate that while RPA members were gathered outside talking, the Mayor of Vayk, Mkhitar Matevosyan, passed by without greeting the members. The main attendees were RPA regional governors and community leaders.

The Governor of Armavir, Edward Hovhannisyan, confronted Matevosyan about why he did not greet him as he was passing by. Matevosyan responded that he did not want to, thereby leading to a physical altercation between the governor and the community leader. Members of RPA immediately intervened to disperse the 'fighters.'

The day after the brawl in Dilijan, RPA faction member in the National Assembly, Sergey Bagratyan, decided to settle scores with the Governor of Armavir. Bagratyan is considered to be the patron of Vayk Mayor Mkhitar Matevosyan, as he had vouched for and appointed him to the position. When Bagratyan was informed that Mayor Matevosyan had argued with the Governor of Armavir, Edward Hovhannisyan, resulting in a fight, he decided to personally visit Hovhannisyan to clarify why he insulted the Mayor of Vayk. Our sources report that a heated conversation took place, after which Bagratyan left.

For more details, refer to today’s issue of the newspaper.