Authorities tried to obstruct opening of Call of Artsakh memorial, Vanetsyan says

Homeland Party leader Artur Vanetsyan claimed that the Armenian authorities attempted to obstruct the inauguration of the Call of Artsakh memorial at Yerevan’s Yerablur Military Pantheon on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, Vanetsyan said officials initially warned organizers not to proceed and even threatened to use force. “Later they probably realized it would be a mistake, but they still tried to hinder us by cutting electricity and preventing the use of loudspeakers, so that the families of fallen soldiers could not speak. They openly say that Aliyev would get angry,” he stated.

According to Vanetsyan, the idea for the memorial emerged after discussions with displaced Artsakh Armenians, including former Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan, Interior Minister Karen Sargsyan and other officials.

“Painfully, many people have no graves. Artsakh Armenians have lost not only their homes and homeland but also the resting places of their loved ones. This memorial was built with my family’s resources,” Vanetsyan added.