Protest Rally in Support of Detained Arsen Ghukasian

Today, a protest rally is taking place near the Prosecutor General's office in Armenia in support of Arsen Ghukasian, who has been detained since October 7. Arsen is the brother of Armen Ghukasian, who was killed in the 44-day war, and the uncle of Sarkis Ghukasian, who is considered missing.

One of the participants, Sergo Galstyan, who is the uncle of Levon Galstyan—another soldier killed in the war—stated that their action is peaceful and aims to raise awareness about Arsen Ghukasian's illegal detention and his critical health condition. “Arsen Ghukasian's struggle is not for a position; he merely wants to know the fate of his brother’s son,” Galstyan noted.

Arsen's lawyer, Tatevik Sogoyan, also emphasized that her client's life and health are in danger, as there is a direct instruction for him to be examined by a narrow specialist, which has not been carried out for five consecutive days. “All of this gives cause for concern. Arsen Ghukasian is a strong and resilient man who doesn't want attention directed towards his health; however, every time I present his medical records to doctors, I find it astonishing how he continues to remain on his feet given these indicators,” Sogoyan remarked.

It is important to recall that on October 6, two relatives of missing soldiers, Apidjan Sargsyan and Arsen Ghukasian, were arrested. Later, it became known that Apidjan Sargsyan was released, while Arsen Ghukasian was not. They have been charged with hooliganism and interference with the lawful official or political activities of an official during a protest rally near the Ministry of Defense on September 29. On October 7, it was announced that Arsen Ghukasian would be detained for one month.