Artsakh Flag Removed from Public Radio Before Pashinyan's Visit: Director Confirms but States Radio Staff Was Not Involved

An incident occurred prior to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's visit to Public Radio. Factor.am has learned that before Pashinyan's arrival, individuals present removed the Artsakh flag from the premises of Public Radio. It was reported that the radio's security personnel resisted, but ultimately the flag was taken down. Later, it was returned.

Factor.am spoke with the Executive Director of Public Radio, Garegin Khumaryan, regarding this incident. He confirmed to Factor.am that the flag was removed temporarily for several hours.

“Mr. Khumaryan, is it true that the Artsakh flag was removed before Pashinyan's visit?”

“The flag is now in place; you can come and see it.”

“Please confirm, was it removed before Pashinyan's visit or not?”

“On the 31st, around one o'clock, one of our staff members saw that the flag was taken down and we immediately put it back where it should have been.”

“And what time did Pashinyan arrive?”

“In the morning.”

“So it means the flag was removed before Pashinyan's visit?”

“I acknowledge the fact that on the 31st, unfortunately, the Artsakh flag was not there for several hours. I assure you that it has nothing to do with any employee of Public Radio.”

“Are there cameras in the area? Has it been recorded who removed it?”

“They are not pointing that way; we tried, but it did not show anything.”

“Is it possible that the security personnel of Pashinyan removed it?”

“I find it difficult to say; I do not have precise data. Let’s speak with facts; yes, I confirm that on the date you mentioned, the flag was not there for several hours.”

It is worth noting that today Garegin Khumaryan published an article on the Public Radio website criticizing Nikol Pashinyan for comments made during a recent interview.

“Last week in this studio, we were told to stop being who we are. We were told that the Turks are strong, and Armenians are weak. The Turks are destroying Armenians. This syllogism should have ended with a deductive conclusion of ‘let’s strengthen ourselves,’ but instead, it was replaced with ‘let’s stop being Armenian,’” wrote Khumaryan, who published a photo in red clothing from the same studio.

Let us remind you, while discussing changes to the Constitution, Pashinyan employed a metaphor, suggesting that we should imagine crossing a path flanked by bulls while wearing a beloved grandma’s red dress. To cross it, he said, a decision must be made: “If we change that red dress, reject it, and pack it away as something very dear and sacred, but remove it from circulation and apply it to the environment we intend to operate in,” said Nikol Pashinyan.

Today, we also asked Garegin Khumaryan if he has concerns about being dismissed for criticizing Pashinyan. It should be noted that Public Radio operates with state funding.

“Have I violated any ethics? As a state-owned broadcaster, it is absolutely independent and operates according to conscience,” he stated.