Missing soldier's relative falls sick at protest outside Armenian Defense Ministry

Parents and other relatives of Armenian soldiers missing from the 2020 Artsakh war staged a protest outside the Armenian Defense Ministry on Monday, demanding answers about their loved ones’ fate.

Arsen Ghukasyan, the uncle of missing serviceman Sargis Ghukasyan, said families had been promised a meeting with Chief of the General Staff Edvard Asryan and his adviser Kamo Vardanyan. Instead, officials told them only Deputy Defense Minister Armen Sargsyan would receive a few protesters.

“We have a lot to say to the chief of staff. We’ve already met with Armen Sargsyan many times,” Ghukasyan told reporters. He accused former 9th Army Corps commander, Major General Karen Arustamyan, of responsibility for battlefield losses, questioning why the authorities failed to arrest him before he fled the country.

“Our children’s fate is being ignored,” Ghukasyan said. "I have had no news of my child for five years now. There are 190 families like mine.”

Tensions flared during the protest and Ghukasyan fell sick following a scuffle with military police. An ambulance was called to the scene.