Hayk Demoyan demands minister's resignation over damage to Armenian Genocide Memorial

Hayk Demoyan, former director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, has called for the resignation of Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan following his visit to the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex which is undergoing renovation.

In a statement on Friday, Demoyan stated that under the guise of renovation, heavy damage has been inflicted on the memorial. He cited unprofessional and careless construction practices, misuse of state funds and possible corruption risks. According to him, three memorial pillars, the stone flooring and the steps leading to the Eternal Flame have suffered irreparable harm.

Demoyan further claimed that basalt stones installed in the 1960s were reduced to rubble, while newly delivered stones already show visible defects. Demoyan accused the ministry and the minister personally of gross negligence, disrespect toward the site and failure to exercise proper oversight.

“Rather than addressing the consequences of the crime committed, Minister Andreasyan suggests forming a new expert commission, which only reflects a passive and degrading attitude toward the memorial, a sanctity for the entire Armenian nation,” Demoyan argued.

He demanded Andreasyan’s resignation and a criminal investigation into what he described as negligent and corrupt practices that desecrate the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims.