FREEDOM FIGHTER LEFT HOMELESS

08:15 pm | Today | Politics

In 1994, freedom fighter Artsruni Vanyan managed to save his
comrades-in-arms from the Hakob-Kamari blockade. As a result, Vanyan
became disabled and lost his right leg. Today, the homeless family
with four under-age children is in abject need.

“I knew the area quite well was able to bring the boys out of the
blockade. While we were bypassing it, the tank shot and I lost my leg.

The other was seriously injured and doctors wanted to amputate it
but I did not allow them,” says the freedom fighter.

Until 1988, Vanyan lived in Begum-Sarov village in Azerbaijan but
as soon as the war broke out he joined the group fighting for the
protection of Maragha.

Those were the most difficult years for the freedom fighter who
survived throughout the war.

“The sight was awful. We collected fragmented legs and hands of
children so that cars would not squash them,” recalls Vanyan.

During the years of war, it never occurred to the freedom fighter
that he would be neglected in his homeland after the war.

The father of four under-age children needs an apartment to be able
to rest his achy head on the pillow.

“In 1995, I was forcibly resettled in Karabakh. To this date, I have
lived in a barn, in a bathroom; I have no document from the state
register or cadastre,” he said.

Artsruni Vanyan had to refuse the status of an immigrant and return
to Armenia where he lived with his comrade-in-arms.

The disabled freedom fighter has applied to all relevant bodies with
his request but to no avail: every time he is told that he is not
registered by the local self-government bodies.

“My medals are the only achievement of the past 24 years. I have
nothing else but these silent witnesses,” he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress