Response of Samvel Balasanyan's Son to Vardan Ghukasyan

The son of former Gyumri Mayor Samvel Balasanyan, Khachatur Balasanyan, has responded to Vardan Ghukasyan's statement regarding the 'Black Fortress'.

“To avoid giving separate interviews, I decided to address Vardan Ghukasyan's statement regarding Samvel Balasanyan and the 'Black Fortress' in this manner. Regarding the question of respecting or not respecting Samvel Balasanyan, I must mention that we do not need Vardan Ghukasyan's respect. In Gyumri, in the Shirak region, as well as throughout Armenia, I believe everyone knows about the respect that Samvel Balasanyan enjoys. We simply do not even voice whether we respect Vardan Ghukasyan or not; we prefer to remain silent and step aside from the current political logic.

“As for the 'Black Fortress', yes, one has to be blind not to notice what an incredible structure Samvel Balasanyan has created on a landfill. Let’s note one important fact: it seems that Vardan Ghukasyan's, the 'Civil Contract' party’s, and the Armenian Prosecutor’s Office’s views regarding the surrounding areas of the 'Black Fortress' are aligned. I hope, and I have internal confidence, that this alignment is not coincidental,” said Khachatur Balasanyan.

It should be noted that earlier, Gyumri City Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan stated, “I do not respect Samvel Balasanyan, but he has indeed built the Black Fortress.”