Fire back: Angry Deputy Minister threatens those who criticize the Army

Speaking during the Haylur News program on Public Television, Vladminir Gasparyan, Deputy Minister of Defense, referred to the tragedies in the armed forces and the reactions of civil society. Hedeclared that some human rights organizations were trying to politicize the incidents and the “appropriate-inappropriate” criticism of the army became a daily routine.
 

‘I suggest you refrain from personal issues and inaccurate information because you are affecting the fighting capabilities of the army,’ argued Gasparyan.  The deputy minister continued to threaten to use punishment methods against such criticism but he did not specify what those methods would be.

Earlier, in an interview with Zinuzh TV program, the deputy minister had commented on the activity of the same NGOs saying:  “How can one’s heart ache for the army of this country if one is financed from other countries?How can one’s heart ache when one thinks the more sensational and the more terrible the case is,the better, because one can earn more money off of it”?

He considers the human rights organizations standing and fighting beside the parents of deceased soldiers to be without a fatherland, with disgrace, and without dignity. (He made some comments regarding the aggravation around the situation in the army and particularly after the public reaction about the three murders registered in the army, which were qualified as “suicides” although the body of one of the soldiers was visibly tortured.)

Artur Sakunts, Chairman of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor told ArmeniaNow that by using these threats, officials are trying to distract the public. ‘Vova Gasparyan, himself has serious legal problems and I would also recommend he work quietly towards the issues that our office has already pointed out: this refers to themoral issues and current situation in the army that have been reported. He is directly responsible for them.’

Deputy Minister Gasparyan stated that the information required by the human rights organizations is actually needed by their donors.

(The organization run by Sakunts, which operates in 3 large cities of Armenia,is a non-political, non-religious, non-profit NGO. Therefore, to implement its numerous projects it solicits funds through several grants from local and international foundations.)

‘My dear friends, and what other assignments have your sponsorsgiven you? Maybe you would like to publish the entire list and then go stand in line to sell it to diverse international foundations?’ said Gasparyan

Artur Sakunts argues that the deputy minister has no idea what civic monitoring is and his threats are not just against Sakunts. ‘These attacks are directed not only against me but against the “Army in Reality” Initiative. But we will not back down. This attack testifies that our fight is starting to yield results. We will release a newannouncement soon. The right to life of our young people should be protected in the AF andthose causing assaults and mutilations against soldiers and officers should be revealed and held accountable… I am going to continue fighting with my friends as the protection of human rights is going in the right and effective direction,’ Sakunts told ArmeniaNow.

Commenting on the statement by the deputy minister that the army is not politicized, Mikayel Danielyan, Head of Helsinki Association said that the army has been involved in politics for a long time.

‘The army participates in the elections in a certain way and does a huge service to the authorities yielding fabricated results. When they bring out troops to disperse people it shows that the army is politicized. And this is what causesexemption from punishment,’ said Danielyan.