I Have No Intent to Fight for the Title of Political Prisoner: David Tonoyan

Former Minister of Defense of Armenia, David Tonoyan, has issued a statement addressing the questions posed by Avetik Ishkhanian.

“I carefully read Avetik Ishkhanian's questions directed at me, which he concluded with the following: ‘If you sincerely answer these questions, I am convinced that I will consider you a political prisoner.’ First of all, I find it at least strange that an experienced human rights defender links the classification of a person as a political prisoner to their answers to specific questions. It is even more surprising that the lawyer has formulated the questions in such a way that allows him to reserve the right to express doubts about the honesty of any answer provided.

Nonetheless, I decided to respond to Mr. Ishkhanian’s publication, as I have always emphasized the importance of cooperation with civil society and particularly with human rights organizations in my roles as the Deputy Minister of Defense and the head of the ministry.

Together, we have done extensive work to establish and reinforce democratic oversight by civil organizations over the Armed Forces. I have responded to Mr. Ishkhanian's questions several times over the past three years through interviews, statements, as well as in my speech in the National Assembly inquiry commission in August 2023 during a live broadcast.

I believe Mr. Ishkhanian is actually aware of my position, and the genuine purpose of raising these questions is neither to classify me as a political prisoner nor does it fall within the realm of human rights advocacy.

For the past 2.5 years, I have repeatedly stated that I have been unlawfully deprived of my freedom due to a fabricated criminal case. I have consistently demanded a public trial. My lawyers have submitted numerous petitions for a change of the measure of restraint. At no point have I heard any public response from any human rights defenders.

Unfortunately, the polarization present in our society is also reflected among human rights defenders, who even divide those unlawfully deprived of freedom into ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’, forgetting that the law applies to everyone. In my case, the issue is probably more complicated, as I am neither considered an ‘insider’ nor an ‘outsider’ based on the political forces and their accompanying human rights defenders.

I have repeatedly stated that I am ready to bear responsibility for my actions, but not for my inactions. I have no intent to fight for the title of political prisoner, especially not by answering a questionnaire formulated in the form of an ultimatum. I believe that if Mr. Ishkhanian and other human rights defenders genuinely wish to hear answers from me, they can utilize the tools at their disposal and join my demand for a public trial.

P.S. Dear Mr. Ishkhanian, as a geologist addressing a geologist, I sincerely wish to ‘strengthen’ you, as stated in the song ‘Геологи’ which you are familiar with. And I would like to remind you of another part from the same song: ‘In life as well, we can recognize precious ore from empty rock.’