Armenian activist criticizes government over Gyumri housing crisis

Opposition activist Alik Aleksanyan, a member of the Mer Dzovov (Our Way) movement founded by businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan, has criticized the Armenian government for failing to address the long-standing housing crisis in Gyumri, the country’s second-largest city, while dismissing criticism over his remarks in which he mistakenly referred to it as a “village”.

Speaking after visits to two villages in Shirak Province and to Gyumri, Aleksanyan said on Monday that the group had met with local residents to hear their concerns and presented Karapetyan’s five-step plan for strengthening Armenia.

“After returning to the capital from the father city, I saw some people had caused an uproar,” he said. “We don't visit Gyumri to sit in cafés and take photos. We are here to work and listen to people's concerns.”

Aleksanyan accused ruling party members of ignoring urgent issues, noting that nearly 2,000 people in Gyumri remain homeless decades after the devastating earthquake. “In the past eight years, the authorities have not provided a single home to Gyumri residents,” he said.

He also criticized officials for remaining silent after Azerbaijani nationals filmed videos in central Gyumri, calling it another example of government negligence.