VIDEO: Leo Nikolian Discusses Airport Incident

The security staff at the airport are respectful, and what happened cannot be called anattack. French-Armenian journalist Leo Nikolian said this in a conversation with Sputnik Armenia, commenting on a video featuring airport staff and himself.

It is worth noting that a video circulated on social networks last night of Leo Nikolian, who has been on hunger strike for over a month at Zvartnots Airport, and airport employees. The video was silent, making it unclear what Nikolian and the staff were discussing. The footage shows one of the employees shoving Nikolian several times, after which he falls to the ground.

“The video you’ve seen was filmed by someone from a distance, from a café. Sometimes I feel I am going insane here, being in this condition for 33 days on hunger strike. Sometimes I make mistakes, such things happen, but I cannot call that an attack on myself. The same security guys at the airport respect me, love me, and protect me,” Nikolian told the media.

Nikolian stated that the most important part of this story is that the Armenian authorities allow him to die here.

The French-Armenian journalist also expressed his disappointment with the attitude of the French Embassy in Armenia, stating that during this time, no one from the diplomatic institution has come to meet him. The Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Anahit Manasyan, also did not meet with him personally, only representatives from her office visited.

Nikolian mentioned that he has refused not only food but also the medication offered to him, despite having several health issues, including heart problems and lung cancer. According to him, his health condition is currently adequate. He has consulted with French doctors, who indicated that his condition may deteriorate in about 10 days. Nevertheless, the French-Armenian journalist does not intend to end his hunger strike until he is granted entry into his homeland.