I Am Experiencing Deep Sorrow: Spivakov on the Arrest of the Smbatyan Brothers

The arrest of Armen and Sergey Smbatyan and the news regarding large-scale fraud have shocked me profoundly. This was stated by the People's Artist of the USSR, People's Artist of Armenia, UNESCO Artist for Peace, Knight of the Legion of Honor of France, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Russian National Philharmonic Orchestra and the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, and President of the Moscow International Music House, Vladimir Spivakov.

He particularly noted: “I am experiencing deep sorrow and cannot refrain from sharing this with my beloved Armenian audience, with whom I have been connected for 40 years. This connection is not only creative but also human and friendly, which is why I cannot remain silent about the injustice happening in broad daylight.”

The Armenian nation, like any nation on Earth, maintains its existence, grows, and develops primarily through culture passed down from generation to generation. It is the mission of artists to create the lofty image of the Homeland. Before my eyes, Sergey Smbatyan, whom I got to know when he was just a child, has grown from a little boy into a bright figure elevating the glory of his homeland, a bearer of great Armenian culture. Moreover, he has created an amazing symphonic orchestra from scratch. During its 17 years of existence, thanks to the musical and organizational talent of its leader, the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra has held numerous concerts, festivals, and tours. The orchestra has performed with dozens of world-renowned musicians.

Maestro Smbatyan has long been one of the main ambassadors of Armenia and its culture on the world stage. And I am confident that the Armenian audience should be proud of such an artist.

Regarding my friend, the renowned public figure, philanthropist, and true patriot Armen Smbatyan, I can speak at length about his personal and professional qualities, but I will say this: his contribution to strengthening and developing relations between Armenia and Russia is invaluable, especially when he served as Armenia’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador in Russia.

A few words about Themis, the goddess of justice. As is well known, her eyes are covered with a bandage. The metaphor is clear: all are equal before the law. However, in no country has anyone canceled the presumption of innocence. And the punishment should fit the crime. The guilt of Armen and Sergey Smbatyan has not been proven. The court must still examine this case. To detain people whose guilt has not been established, who have not committed a criminal offense, such as armed assault or murder, is a gross violation of the presumption of innocence. It is well known that Armen and Sergey Smbatyan pose no threat to Armenian society. Moreover, the detention of Sergey Smbatyan negatively affects and strikes at the reputation of Armenian culture worldwide. It is very hard for me to realize this.

I call on those dealing with this matter to change the preventive measure for Armen and Sergey Smbatyan until all circumstances of the case are clarified, according to all civilized standards and humanitarian norms observed worldwide.