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`I Feel Bad That I Have Defeated My Country,' Grisha Virabyan
http://www.aravot.am/en/2012/10/05/116847/
October 5, 2012 10:50
According to the decision of the European Court of Human Rights, the
Republic of Armenia will pay 31 thousand to Grisha Virabyan, a former
supporter of the People's Party of Armenia (PPA), as compensation for
moral and physical damage. The following is the interview of
www.aravot.am with G. Virabyan.
* Could you imagine 8 years ago that after 8 years, your case would
not only be considered by the European Court, but you would actually
win?
* Certainly, I am pleased after 8 years of waiting. I believed, I was
convinced that I would win. I have always believed that I am innocent
and the case with political overtones was made up post factum (he was
beaten up by the police of the Ararat region in April 2004 for
participating in rallies and with regard to the events related to the
presidential election - R.M.).
* What status do you enjoy and where do you live today?
* I got a political asylum in Belgium as early as 3 years ago.
* Have your intentions changed after the judgment of the European
Court, will you come to Armenia?
* Yes, I intend to. The government of Armenia has demanded me once and
our ambassador here is worried.
* What does it mean `demanded,' are you wanted by the police?
* No, I am not. I don't know, perhaps someone has used his diplomatic
contacts and made a request to the Kingdom of Belgium, folks here
responded that there was no Grisha Virabyan.
* Which of the party leaders, supporters from Armenia have congratulated you?
* My friends who have stood by me from the beginning have
congratulated me. Hovik Arsenyan, a member of the Republic Party
political council, has called me. And the PPA generally doesn't want
this to be published in the press, since they stated at the beginning
that I am the government's man. Now let everyone know that I have seen
it through. They promised to give me the floor at every rally of Levon
Ter-Petrossian, the PPA wouldn't allow that, their leader would take
offense like a woman.
* It is known that you have undergone serious surgery, has there been
any need for medical treatment in Belgium?
* They solved many medical problems in the first year, now I am OK; I
don't have health problems.
* Mr. Virabyan, how do you feel after defeating the country, for
which, as you say, you have struggled?
* I have mixed feelings of pride and sadness. I feel bad that I have
defeated my country.... I feel bad that there is no law and order in my
country and that the legal system will not learn a lesson from my
victory.
On the other hand, I am proud that I have maintained my right and my
dignity and was able to prove to those people who tried to desert and
disgrace me carrying out the concrete instructions of the attorney.
I will be among the pioneers again and let them continue to eat from
the government's trough.
I wish Stepan Demirchyan and Stepan Zakaryan well. My place is in the
square, I am not to blame that I am not next to my friends, please,
don't consider me absent.
* What other questions would you like me to ask?
* I would like to express my gratitude to all journalists who were
concerned with my case, Anna Israyelyan, you, Karine Ashughyan, Taguhi
Tovmasyan, Armine Ohanyan, Christine Barseghyan, first Human Rights
Defender Larisa Alaverdyan and special thanks to Aram Zaven Sargsyan
who said to me in the worst days of my life, `Grish, I couldn't keep
Armen out, they put him in prison, but I will shoot the last bullet
for you,' and he stood by me. I haven't won; Aram Zaven Sargsyan has
won today.
Interviewed Ruzan MINASYAN
http://www.aravot.am/en/2012/10/05/116847/
October 5, 2012 10:50
According to the decision of the European Court of Human Rights, the
Republic of Armenia will pay 31 thousand to Grisha Virabyan, a former
supporter of the People's Party of Armenia (PPA), as compensation for
moral and physical damage. The following is the interview of
www.aravot.am with G. Virabyan.
* Could you imagine 8 years ago that after 8 years, your case would
not only be considered by the European Court, but you would actually
win?
* Certainly, I am pleased after 8 years of waiting. I believed, I was
convinced that I would win. I have always believed that I am innocent
and the case with political overtones was made up post factum (he was
beaten up by the police of the Ararat region in April 2004 for
participating in rallies and with regard to the events related to the
presidential election - R.M.).
* What status do you enjoy and where do you live today?
* I got a political asylum in Belgium as early as 3 years ago.
* Have your intentions changed after the judgment of the European
Court, will you come to Armenia?
* Yes, I intend to. The government of Armenia has demanded me once and
our ambassador here is worried.
* What does it mean `demanded,' are you wanted by the police?
* No, I am not. I don't know, perhaps someone has used his diplomatic
contacts and made a request to the Kingdom of Belgium, folks here
responded that there was no Grisha Virabyan.
* Which of the party leaders, supporters from Armenia have congratulated you?
* My friends who have stood by me from the beginning have
congratulated me. Hovik Arsenyan, a member of the Republic Party
political council, has called me. And the PPA generally doesn't want
this to be published in the press, since they stated at the beginning
that I am the government's man. Now let everyone know that I have seen
it through. They promised to give me the floor at every rally of Levon
Ter-Petrossian, the PPA wouldn't allow that, their leader would take
offense like a woman.
* It is known that you have undergone serious surgery, has there been
any need for medical treatment in Belgium?
* They solved many medical problems in the first year, now I am OK; I
don't have health problems.
* Mr. Virabyan, how do you feel after defeating the country, for
which, as you say, you have struggled?
* I have mixed feelings of pride and sadness. I feel bad that I have
defeated my country.... I feel bad that there is no law and order in my
country and that the legal system will not learn a lesson from my
victory.
On the other hand, I am proud that I have maintained my right and my
dignity and was able to prove to those people who tried to desert and
disgrace me carrying out the concrete instructions of the attorney.
I will be among the pioneers again and let them continue to eat from
the government's trough.
I wish Stepan Demirchyan and Stepan Zakaryan well. My place is in the
square, I am not to blame that I am not next to my friends, please,
don't consider me absent.
* What other questions would you like me to ask?
* I would like to express my gratitude to all journalists who were
concerned with my case, Anna Israyelyan, you, Karine Ashughyan, Taguhi
Tovmasyan, Armine Ohanyan, Christine Barseghyan, first Human Rights
Defender Larisa Alaverdyan and special thanks to Aram Zaven Sargsyan
who said to me in the worst days of my life, `Grish, I couldn't keep
Armen out, they put him in prison, but I will shoot the last bullet
for you,' and he stood by me. I haven't won; Aram Zaven Sargsyan has
won today.
Interviewed Ruzan MINASYAN