Investigation into Gyumri tragedy must not be infringement on
Armenians’ national dignity

15:54 * 19.01.15

Armenia must have the Avetisyan murder case investigated by Armenia’s
law-enforcers, Shirak Torosyan, an MP of the Republican Party of
Armenia (RPA), told Tert.am.

The Armenian and Russian sides must be able to show strength,
political will and wisdom to cope with the complications caused by the
tragedy.

“The judicial process should be an infringement on the Armenian
people’s national dignity. I man that we must have the case
investigated by Armenia’s law-enforcers. And if the soldier committed
a crime by leaving the Russian military unit, let Russian
law–enforcers investigate this particular offence,” Mr Torosyan said.

“It is elementary logic that the murder is a much graver crime than
deserting the military unit. A multiple murder implies severer
punishment, even a death sentence.”

Torosyan said he finds that the authorities have to demonstrate common
sense to respect the Armenian nation’s dignity.

Asked whether sees or expects any changes in the region following the
incident, the Republican MP said he finds that it rather caused the
interested sides to re-evaluate the situation.

According to him, the brutal murder and the subsequent wave of
protests was a serious touchstone for the Armenian-Russian relations
from the point of view of the traditional perceptions.

“It was definitely a touchstone, and these tragic developments
demonstrated that the Armenian-Russian relations may experience
problems in case Russian officials, public and political figures and
individuals enjoying a public reputation continue anti-Armenian
activities in their circles. I mean the recent developments and
phenomena in which we observe a scornful attitude to the Armenian
people and the Armenian national dignity,” Torosyan said.

He added that the Russian officials somewhat belated condolences were
a sign that the country has to revise its attitude to Armenia,
demonstrating a higher degree of respect for the country and its
people.

Noting that the centuries-old friendship and cooperation between the
Armenians and Russians is linked to Armenia’s security concerns on the
one hand and Russia’s strategic interests on the other hand, the
politician noted that the country maintains leverages of influence
also beyond the region.

“It after all has to do with not only Armenia’s security but also
Russia’s pursuance of strategic interests in our region. And from our
region, Russia establishes control also over the Middle East through
air and all the other resources,” he said, adding that the Russian
military base’s presence in the second largest city stems from both
countries’ interests.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress