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Press Review


The seventh anniversary of the infamous attack on the Armenian parliament makes headlines in most of Friday’s newspapers.

“When relatives of the victims continue to suggest various theories [of the crime] seven years on and at least three or four of those theories seem credible, we and those responsible for our country’s security have a lot of food for thought,” writes “Azg.” “And if there is a cover-up, if interests of big powers have grown intertwined with the tragedy and if only several persons know about that but do not want to speak up, the state, the statehood, its leaders and people are under a serious threat. Because those interests will always exist in the region and our country, and even a small state must be able to ensure its security in a way that would leave its people with no doubts about their and their leaders’ security.”

Anahit Bakhshian, the widow of the assassinated deputy parliament speaker Yuri Bakhshian, tells “Aravot” that the official investigation into the shootings and the trial of the gunmen left many key questions unanswered. “Who let the terrorists smuggle weapons and reach the parliament floor?” she asks. “Who killed [parliament deputy Armenak] Armenakian? Why was the site of his murder quickly cleaned up and repaired?” “The trial was covered [by pro-government media] in accordance with the will and the interests of certain people,” keen to hide the truth, adds Bakhshian.

“Hayk” believes that the masterminds of the crime have not been identified. “But no secret has a long life,” editorializes the paper. “This one will be uncovered too.”

“Iravunk” recalls that “mysterious incidents” occurred even after October 27, 1999. “People got electrocuted or hanged in prisons,” says the paper. “Important witnesses suddenly found themselves in the USA or died. Questions are numerous and we will hardly get their answers soon.”

According to “Zhamanak Yerevan,” the parliament shootings marked a “watershed” in the history of independent Armenia. “[October] 27 clarified who stands where in this country and why,” explains the paper. “It has become absolutely clear that a military-police state is being created in both in Armenia and Karabakh .”

“Haykakan Zhamanak” reports that ceremonies marking the attack anniversary will not involve “events of political nature.” “Of course, this situation has been going on for several years, but we think it would not hurt if there were discussions aimed at finding out whether the public and political forces consider the crime to be solved and whether comments made in connection with this in the past remain in force,” says the paper.

(Atom Markarian)
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