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Change.org
Jan 4 2012
How the Armenian Government Released Nareg Hartounian
by Sargis Buniatyan
Thomas Jefferson once stated, `If there's something wrong, those who
have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take
action.' Unfortunately, most of us are not fully acquainted with our
abilities and this state of amnesia forces us into the realms of
fearfulness, complacency, unwillingness, and utter hopelessness. We
are blind to our true, awesome potential because there is this
constant sense of seclusion and divide instilled in us by our
environment. And it's true. When we're alone, it's naturally difficult
... but when united, we can move mountains and earlier this month, we
did!
Nareg Hartounian is the founder of the non-profit Naregatsi Art
Institute in Armenia. He and his family have dedicated their lives
fighting for our country, the promotion of our culture, and much more.
It is clear that these are people of great honor and integrity; some
of the few true patriots. It is because of people like them that our
country and our world moves forward. For many years, Nareg has been
helping Armenia revive its culture through free art lessons, concerts
and countless other charitable events with the support of his family.
This is a person who doesn't wear fancy clothes, drive fancy cars, or
live in a fancy house, but instead takes equity loans on his personal
property and gives away millions of dollars over the years for what he
stands for. Yet on the morning of Friday, December 9, 2011, he was
arrested on trumped up charges of tax evasion, along with Deputy
Director Ani Mnatsakanyan and Chief Accountant Artour Galstyan, and
within the course of a day, they were indicted, tried and found guilty
without proper due process.
So let's get this straight. The art and cultural aficionado who
donates millions to the Armenian people and the family that invests
millions into the Armenian economy just woke up one day and decided to
cheat the government out of a measly 109 Million Armenian Drams
(approximately $290,000)? It is extremely sad to see how one's love
and passion for his country can be held "hostage" and used against him
for personal financial gain. It was simply unacceptable, disgraceful,
inconceivable, and downright betrayal. In reality, Nareg was ready to
pay any taxes that needed to be paid but on lawful grounds in a
professional manner so as to avoid any form of corruption. But the
authorities in the corrupt Armenian government had other plans. The
same government that awarded Nareg with gold medals for his
contributions to Armenia attempted to extort his family of properties
and money by the use of fear and unjust incarceration.
It didn't take long for a full scale campaign to fire back. Petitions
were organized physically in Yerevan and online via Facebook, Twitter,
and Change.org. In just a couple of days, thousands of people were on
their feet, protesting for Nareg's immediate release. Nearly every
news outlet in Armenia was talking about the issue. The government was
undoubtedly shocked by the powerful united front that came like a
storm. Some of Armenia's greatest cultural figures, musicians,
writers, intellectuals and even politicians joined the campaign, such
as Raffi Hovhannisyan, Serj Tankian, Charles Aznavour, Tigran
Mansuryan, Arthur Shahnazaryan, Ruben Hakhverdyan, Vahan Artsruni and
numerous others. Major concerts were in the process of being organized
all over Armenia but before we could stage them, the government
realized just how serious the situation was and immediately released
Nareg on the evening of Tuesday, December 13th on the condition that
he doesn't leave the country, which he never planned to anyways. As
one of the lawyers on the case noted, "The campaign was instrumental
in the unexpected release".
The news of his release was announced and this sent a tidal wave of
victory throughout the Armenian community, especially amongst our
supporters. Articles from various news networks were published proving
Nareg's innocence and showcasing the government's shameful mistakes.
On the morning of December 14th, a press conference took place at
Naregatsi Art Institute at 11:00 AM, describing in detail what was
actually going on. Towards the end, Nareg urged everyone to unite and
vowed to fight on. As did we! In the following week, many events took
place as a tribute to Nareg's release and more are on the way...
Nareg is only one of countless others who have been manipulated and
mistreated in despicable manners by the Armenian government. The case
is not closed. The people responsible for all of this have not been
charged yet. The road to justice is a long one and we plan on walking
every step of the way. Unity is the most powerful weapon on the face
of our planet and this month, we utilized it and won the battle but
the war has just begun. Let this be a message to those who stand
against the progress of our country and our world. And let this be a
reminder to all those who have forgotten who they are, what they are
capable of, and what WE are capable of! `Never doubt that a small
group of people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing
that ever has' - Margaret Mead.
Article by Sargis Buniatyan from Armenia, organizer of the Change.org
campaign to release Nareg Hartounian
https://news.change.org/stories/how-the-armenian-government-released-nareg-hartounian
From: A. Papazian
Jan 4 2012
How the Armenian Government Released Nareg Hartounian
by Sargis Buniatyan
Thomas Jefferson once stated, `If there's something wrong, those who
have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take
action.' Unfortunately, most of us are not fully acquainted with our
abilities and this state of amnesia forces us into the realms of
fearfulness, complacency, unwillingness, and utter hopelessness. We
are blind to our true, awesome potential because there is this
constant sense of seclusion and divide instilled in us by our
environment. And it's true. When we're alone, it's naturally difficult
... but when united, we can move mountains and earlier this month, we
did!
Nareg Hartounian is the founder of the non-profit Naregatsi Art
Institute in Armenia. He and his family have dedicated their lives
fighting for our country, the promotion of our culture, and much more.
It is clear that these are people of great honor and integrity; some
of the few true patriots. It is because of people like them that our
country and our world moves forward. For many years, Nareg has been
helping Armenia revive its culture through free art lessons, concerts
and countless other charitable events with the support of his family.
This is a person who doesn't wear fancy clothes, drive fancy cars, or
live in a fancy house, but instead takes equity loans on his personal
property and gives away millions of dollars over the years for what he
stands for. Yet on the morning of Friday, December 9, 2011, he was
arrested on trumped up charges of tax evasion, along with Deputy
Director Ani Mnatsakanyan and Chief Accountant Artour Galstyan, and
within the course of a day, they were indicted, tried and found guilty
without proper due process.
So let's get this straight. The art and cultural aficionado who
donates millions to the Armenian people and the family that invests
millions into the Armenian economy just woke up one day and decided to
cheat the government out of a measly 109 Million Armenian Drams
(approximately $290,000)? It is extremely sad to see how one's love
and passion for his country can be held "hostage" and used against him
for personal financial gain. It was simply unacceptable, disgraceful,
inconceivable, and downright betrayal. In reality, Nareg was ready to
pay any taxes that needed to be paid but on lawful grounds in a
professional manner so as to avoid any form of corruption. But the
authorities in the corrupt Armenian government had other plans. The
same government that awarded Nareg with gold medals for his
contributions to Armenia attempted to extort his family of properties
and money by the use of fear and unjust incarceration.
It didn't take long for a full scale campaign to fire back. Petitions
were organized physically in Yerevan and online via Facebook, Twitter,
and Change.org. In just a couple of days, thousands of people were on
their feet, protesting for Nareg's immediate release. Nearly every
news outlet in Armenia was talking about the issue. The government was
undoubtedly shocked by the powerful united front that came like a
storm. Some of Armenia's greatest cultural figures, musicians,
writers, intellectuals and even politicians joined the campaign, such
as Raffi Hovhannisyan, Serj Tankian, Charles Aznavour, Tigran
Mansuryan, Arthur Shahnazaryan, Ruben Hakhverdyan, Vahan Artsruni and
numerous others. Major concerts were in the process of being organized
all over Armenia but before we could stage them, the government
realized just how serious the situation was and immediately released
Nareg on the evening of Tuesday, December 13th on the condition that
he doesn't leave the country, which he never planned to anyways. As
one of the lawyers on the case noted, "The campaign was instrumental
in the unexpected release".
The news of his release was announced and this sent a tidal wave of
victory throughout the Armenian community, especially amongst our
supporters. Articles from various news networks were published proving
Nareg's innocence and showcasing the government's shameful mistakes.
On the morning of December 14th, a press conference took place at
Naregatsi Art Institute at 11:00 AM, describing in detail what was
actually going on. Towards the end, Nareg urged everyone to unite and
vowed to fight on. As did we! In the following week, many events took
place as a tribute to Nareg's release and more are on the way...
Nareg is only one of countless others who have been manipulated and
mistreated in despicable manners by the Armenian government. The case
is not closed. The people responsible for all of this have not been
charged yet. The road to justice is a long one and we plan on walking
every step of the way. Unity is the most powerful weapon on the face
of our planet and this month, we utilized it and won the battle but
the war has just begun. Let this be a message to those who stand
against the progress of our country and our world. And let this be a
reminder to all those who have forgotten who they are, what they are
capable of, and what WE are capable of! `Never doubt that a small
group of people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing
that ever has' - Margaret Mead.
Article by Sargis Buniatyan from Armenia, organizer of the Change.org
campaign to release Nareg Hartounian
https://news.change.org/stories/how-the-armenian-government-released-nareg-hartounian
From: A. Papazian