YEREVAN, ARMENIA – Today, on July 29, the rally of “Resistance” movement marched on, starting once again in Yerevan’s France Square.
At the beginning of the rally, Narek Mantashyan, who spent 7 months in a detention center, began his speech by wishing freedom to the other political prisoners who remain in detention.
“This struggle is not political, this is not for someone, this is a struggle for the homeland, and victory is very close. Those who gossip about this struggle will not be able to look their children in the eyes tomorrow, our path is straight, victory is near,” he said.
Then YSU docent, member of the “Unification” initiative Menua Soghomonyan, Vazgen Saghatelyan, opposition MPs Tadevos Avetisyan, Aram Vardevanyan, Hayk Mamijanyan made remarks.
During the rally, it was announced that three young people affiliated with the “Resistance” movement, who were arrested in the case of allegedly beating the “grandfathers” of Gyumri, were released on bail. Taron Manukyan and Gor Sargsyan will continue to remain in custody.
“We came out to fight not only for our security, to remain Armenian, to protect our homeland, but also to live well in our homeland. This government of the “Apikars” not only surrenders our homeland, but also leads to Turkification, it does everything to make the Armenian person live worse every day in his/her homeland, because this government has no national goal, no national dream. Their dream is only to keep their seats”, added Tadevos Avetisyan, member of the National Assembly from the “Armenia” faction, in his speech
“The EU ambassador to Armenia says that there are supposedly no political prisoners in Armenia. It is a statement detached from reality and supporting today’s authorities,” stated Aram Vardevanyan, another member of the National Assembly from the “Armenia” faction.
According to him, the leaders of the day will not apply amnesty, because they spread widespread fear in order to cling to their seats.
Hayk Mamijanyan, a member of the National Assembly from the “I have an honor” (Pativ Unem) faction, said in his speech that “the document being developed between the EU and Azerbaijan does not say anything about Armenian prisoners of war, there is not even a word that they are kept in inhumane conditions in Azerbaijan.”
According to him, even the RA Foreign Ministry does not mention the status of Artsakh and the right of self-determination of nations in its official messages.
Then Ishkhan Saghateyan, the representative of the ARF Supreme Body of Armenia, gave his speech .
“There is no state today. All structures have been usurped by the traitor Nikol and his henchmen,” Saghatelyan remarked.
He also mentioned that the opposition had set before it the task of removing the current authorities in a short time, but, unfortunately, Armenia still continues to be led by Nikol Pashinyan.
“But if the struggle is prolonged, it should not be depressed, but rather we need to record the gaps, solve the problems and move forward. We should make the struggle our daily routine. We must reorganize, mobilize our forces and go after victory. We are guided by that principle,” Saghatelyan said.
He emphasized that if the opposition participates in the parliament, it will only be with the agenda formed by the people; the removal of the current Prime Minister of Armenia, to fight against the threats facing Armenia and Artsakh.
“The majority group in the National Assembly cannot drag us into its anti-patriotic and anti-national conspiracy by blackmailing us to deprive us of mandates. The CP backpacks (parliament members from Pashinyan’s party) will see the back of their own heads, but they will not see us in the parliament participating in their fake agenda. Unfortunately, the Armenian people no longer have a platform for united expression other than the street and this square. Our street struggle at this moment has no alternative,” said Saghatelyan.
According to Saghatelyan, the government still continues to carry out political persecutions.
“Many of our comrades in struggle are currently in prison as political prisoners. But they are much freer than those who gave the order to detain our boys,” said Saghatelyan.
“Unity, Struggle, Victory” chanted the participants of the rally.
Then the march of the “Resistance” movement started and the participants walked through the central streets of Yerevan, returning to the “France” square where the rally ended. Touching upon the upcoming activities of the movement, Saghatelyan stated that there will be regional visits in August. According to him, the regional councils have already been formed.
A pan-Armenian resistance forum is planned for the middle of August, to which well-known political figures and intellectuals from Armenia, Artsakh, Diaspora will be invited.
According to Saghatelyan, a rally will be held in France Square on September 2 on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Artsakh. On the same day, rallies and events are also planned in Artsakh.
Saghatelyan called on all capable forces to go out to fight and concentrate their forces.
