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HATE CRIME TARGETS GAY FRIENDLY BAR IN YEREVAN, MPS BAIL OUT ASSAILANTS
Armenian Weekly
May 15, 2012
YEREVAN (A.W.)-A homemade bomb this month targeted a bar, called
"DIY," which is seen as a haven for "free thinkers" and welcomes
the often-shunned gay community of Yerevan. The hate crime, which
happened just two days after the parliamentary elections, has given
way to controversy, as ARF MPs Artsvik Minasyan and Hrayr Karapetyan
reportedly posted the one million dram (approximately USD 2,500)
bail to free the assailants.
A homemade bomb targeted a bar, DIY, that is seen as a haven for
"free thinkers" and welcoming towards the often-shunned gay community
of Yerevan.
The attackers, Iranian-Armenian brothers Hampig and Mgrdich (also
referred to as Arame) Khapazian, are said to have targeted bar owner
Tsomak Oganesova for her activism in the LGBT community, and her
participation in a Gay Pride Parade in Turkey.
No one happened to be at the bar at the time of the attack, which
happened during the early morning hours on May 8. However, substantial
damage was reported to the walls and furniture, which were burned
from the bomb.
In an interview with Panorama news agency, Minasyan said, "I consider
[Oganesova's] types-I don't want to sound offensive-destructive to
Armenian society."
When asked why he decided to post bail, Minasyan said, "Why? Because
knowing those youth, I consider them normal people. The investigation
will reveal to what degree the violation they committed endangered
public safety."
"In the given situation, I am convinced that those youth acted the
right way, in the context of our societal and national ideals. It is
a different matter if certain damage has been caused, and compensation
must be paid," he added.
During a press conference, Oganesova said that the ARF has continued to
persecute her, and that she will present her evidence before the law.
MPs acted on their own, says ARF member
Another ARF member, Nvart Manasyan, told Epress that her party is
not a totalitarian organization, and that its members have the right
to express their own opinions. She also said that Minasyan's reasons
for bailing out the attackers should not be linked to the party.
Manasyan said that the ARF is a party that advocates democracy and
socialism; that it operates according to the Armenian Constitution,
where xenophobia is forbidden; and that it is impossible to condemn
such a party for ultra-nationalism.
There was an overwhelming outcry on social networking sites such as
Facebook and Twitter condemning Minasyan's act, and some demanding
that the ARF leadership respond.
Swastikas painted on walls
On May 15, a second attack reportedly occurred. A group of men spat
on the bar, burned anti-fascism posters, and spray-painted swastikas
on the walls. Two of these attackers were reportedly arrested.
From: A. Papazian
Armenian Weekly
May 15, 2012
YEREVAN (A.W.)-A homemade bomb this month targeted a bar, called
"DIY," which is seen as a haven for "free thinkers" and welcomes
the often-shunned gay community of Yerevan. The hate crime, which
happened just two days after the parliamentary elections, has given
way to controversy, as ARF MPs Artsvik Minasyan and Hrayr Karapetyan
reportedly posted the one million dram (approximately USD 2,500)
bail to free the assailants.
A homemade bomb targeted a bar, DIY, that is seen as a haven for
"free thinkers" and welcoming towards the often-shunned gay community
of Yerevan.
The attackers, Iranian-Armenian brothers Hampig and Mgrdich (also
referred to as Arame) Khapazian, are said to have targeted bar owner
Tsomak Oganesova for her activism in the LGBT community, and her
participation in a Gay Pride Parade in Turkey.
No one happened to be at the bar at the time of the attack, which
happened during the early morning hours on May 8. However, substantial
damage was reported to the walls and furniture, which were burned
from the bomb.
In an interview with Panorama news agency, Minasyan said, "I consider
[Oganesova's] types-I don't want to sound offensive-destructive to
Armenian society."
When asked why he decided to post bail, Minasyan said, "Why? Because
knowing those youth, I consider them normal people. The investigation
will reveal to what degree the violation they committed endangered
public safety."
"In the given situation, I am convinced that those youth acted the
right way, in the context of our societal and national ideals. It is
a different matter if certain damage has been caused, and compensation
must be paid," he added.
During a press conference, Oganesova said that the ARF has continued to
persecute her, and that she will present her evidence before the law.
MPs acted on their own, says ARF member
Another ARF member, Nvart Manasyan, told Epress that her party is
not a totalitarian organization, and that its members have the right
to express their own opinions. She also said that Minasyan's reasons
for bailing out the attackers should not be linked to the party.
Manasyan said that the ARF is a party that advocates democracy and
socialism; that it operates according to the Armenian Constitution,
where xenophobia is forbidden; and that it is impossible to condemn
such a party for ultra-nationalism.
There was an overwhelming outcry on social networking sites such as
Facebook and Twitter condemning Minasyan's act, and some demanding
that the ARF leadership respond.
Swastikas painted on walls
On May 15, a second attack reportedly occurred. A group of men spat
on the bar, burned anti-fascism posters, and spray-painted swastikas
on the walls. Two of these attackers were reportedly arrested.
From: A. Papazian