It is natural that the NSS calls us terrorists - Varujan Avetisyan
Interview with Varujan Avetisyan, one of the militants that attacked and seized a police compound in Yerevan on Sunday morning. Why do you hold Armenia's deputy police chief, General Major Vardan Yegiazaryan and Yerevan deputy police chief, Colonel Valeri Osipyan as hostages? And what's the difference between them and other police officers. It is better that they are high ranking officials. They are greater guarantee for us under these conditions. There is an opinion that by storming the building and killing one police officer you confirmed the accusations against Jirayr Sefilyan. Of course, I shall disagree with the opinion. Jirayr Sefilyan has nothing to do with the attack. The problem must be considered in a wider context. If the power of people is usurped inside a country and they have no other way to re-establish their power, an armed rebellion remains the only option. People have the right to rebel against an unjust regime which is enshrined in the international law and even in the constitution of a number of countries. In general, the constitution of all democratic countries says ‘power belongs to the people of that country.’ people have the right to re-establish their power in any way, including an armed rebellion. We served an example for our people by organizing an armed uprising and we hope that sooner or later our example will be contagious and the power of people will be eventually established in our country. As for people who express such an opinion deluding our people I can only say that they either cooperate with the people who usurped power in Armenia or are their associates. I cannot call these people by other names because if someone does not want people to restore their power in their own country, it is clear who that person is and what interests he/she serves. Mr Avetisyan, who did you choose Erebuni Police station? That is a tactical and technical issue, considering the accessibility and convenience of the building. I cannot reveal more details. Some reports suggest that you have two injured persons in the group. Is it right? No, we do not have any injured members. Some have light injuries but they cannot be considered serious. Alek Yenigomshyan, a member of the secretariat of the Founding Parliament opposition group, said today that two of the hostage takers are injured and one of them is in a critical condition. We have people with slight injuries but none of them is in a critical condition. One has a bullet graze but his life is not in danger, the other, who hit the windscreen of the vehicle with his head, has a fracture on his head. He feels well, too. Mr Avetisyan, you were armed when you stormed the police compound, weren’t you? Naturally, we were. We could not otherwise. Do you know that the National Security Service called you ‘terrorists’ and said you pose a danger to Armenia? The NSS is one of the main structures that serves the interests of the criminal regime. It is natural that NSS calls us terrorists. In general, any person who wants to overthrow dictators and takes steps to end their dictatorship is a terrorist or criminal for them who should be made liable for his actions. And when people win, we have Ceausescu, Yanukovych and Gaddafi. This should not be viewed in the range of interests of 26 Baghramyan, NSS and police. It is a superficial and wrong approach. Don’t you think that you were called terrorists to ease your destruction by the law enforcement bodies, I am sorry for saying this. Surely, you are right, there can be no second opinion. You also demand Serzh Sargsyan's resignation. Would like to negotiate with Serzh Sargsyan tête-à-tête? That is one of our main demands. That is our approach and we present it. It can become realistic when people take to the street. I have already said that we were serving an example to the people and we hoped that popular outbreak will occur. Don’t you consider Sargsyan’s resignation realistic at this point? Surely, not, if we have so many people beside us t this moment. It would be naïve to express the opposite opinion. The ratio of forces is very important in politics. We cannot make such conclusions at this moment. Our demands remain in force but we cannot expect such a turn of events, that is not correct What is the difference between your actions and terrorism? I have already answered the question. Terrorism is a completely different thing that has terrorist and criminal purposes and employs terrorist methods. We did not perform a terrorist act, we planned an uprising. Are you ready to stand before justice? But we do not have fair courts in Armenia. We also revolted against injustice in the country. Thank you
