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"Sow the Wind, Reap the Whirlwind"
Interview with Alain Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the Ararat Magazine
who was detained on Mashtots Street on November 6
Alain, how did you appear on Mashtots Street? Did you go there to take
part in Shant Harutiunyan's revolution?
I showed up after the events when I was telephoned at the office and
told about the unrest. I went there to take photos for the website and
got there when it all had happened, I started taking pictures. When
they [policemen] went up to my friend Vilen, I went over there and
tried to understand why they were arresting him, they said they would
take me away as well. A policeman twisted my arms and put us into the
car, they started misbehaving, we resisted to their unlawful actions.
In the police station they behaved quite well though, I saw no
violence.
Is this the right method for a revolution or are people running out of
patience and are ready for any step to get free?
This is the consequence, I have already said this. When one is unable
to express one's wish, exercise one rights through free elections,
such outburst is to take place. I don't know, I cannot say what
happened, I cannot make any evaluations because there are lots of
things which I don't know but I can say that this was a consequence,
they led to this situation, and I do not rule out repetition of this
thing in a larger scale, transforming to a social uprising. When
opposition is destroyed and depressed, people are impoverished, there
is no need to be surprised at aggression in people. This is the same
as beating someone repetitively and be surprised when the beaten one
turned round and slaps back. I am not justifying this, this would not
happen in a normal society. This is a challenge, this is an indication
of serious problems which need to be addressed. This may produce even
worse consequences. Thanks god nobody was killed. Now actions should
be taken to restore the feeling of justice in people.
Will these incidents wake up the government or is the change of
government the only way?
The fact is that people live badly, not only financially but also
psychologically. There is lack of justice, there are privileged
people. Something interesting is happening. A general attitude is
being formed. Even a policeman who has never done anything is
associated with trouble. Everything is distorted, people are
psychologically and financially depressed, and this will explode. They
tell as that fare will rise to 150 drams, that we need to pay 5000
drams to park our car in our city, they say you will not get your
benefit and we will get higher salaries. What next?
The bible says `sow the wind, reap the whirlwind'. This is past,
someone will sit down and set up a commission to get over it but the
source is somewhere else.
Siranuysh Papyan
09:30 09/11/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/interview/view/31273
Interview with Alain Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the Ararat Magazine
who was detained on Mashtots Street on November 6
Alain, how did you appear on Mashtots Street? Did you go there to take
part in Shant Harutiunyan's revolution?
I showed up after the events when I was telephoned at the office and
told about the unrest. I went there to take photos for the website and
got there when it all had happened, I started taking pictures. When
they [policemen] went up to my friend Vilen, I went over there and
tried to understand why they were arresting him, they said they would
take me away as well. A policeman twisted my arms and put us into the
car, they started misbehaving, we resisted to their unlawful actions.
In the police station they behaved quite well though, I saw no
violence.
Is this the right method for a revolution or are people running out of
patience and are ready for any step to get free?
This is the consequence, I have already said this. When one is unable
to express one's wish, exercise one rights through free elections,
such outburst is to take place. I don't know, I cannot say what
happened, I cannot make any evaluations because there are lots of
things which I don't know but I can say that this was a consequence,
they led to this situation, and I do not rule out repetition of this
thing in a larger scale, transforming to a social uprising. When
opposition is destroyed and depressed, people are impoverished, there
is no need to be surprised at aggression in people. This is the same
as beating someone repetitively and be surprised when the beaten one
turned round and slaps back. I am not justifying this, this would not
happen in a normal society. This is a challenge, this is an indication
of serious problems which need to be addressed. This may produce even
worse consequences. Thanks god nobody was killed. Now actions should
be taken to restore the feeling of justice in people.
Will these incidents wake up the government or is the change of
government the only way?
The fact is that people live badly, not only financially but also
psychologically. There is lack of justice, there are privileged
people. Something interesting is happening. A general attitude is
being formed. Even a policeman who has never done anything is
associated with trouble. Everything is distorted, people are
psychologically and financially depressed, and this will explode. They
tell as that fare will rise to 150 drams, that we need to pay 5000
drams to park our car in our city, they say you will not get your
benefit and we will get higher salaries. What next?
The bible says `sow the wind, reap the whirlwind'. This is past,
someone will sit down and set up a commission to get over it but the
source is somewhere else.
Siranuysh Papyan
09:30 09/11/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/interview/view/31273