2024-08-16 14:45:40
The former Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia Davit Tonoyan made a statement in response to Avetik Ishkhanyan, a human rights defender of the “Helsinki Committee of Armenia”.
“I carefully read Avetik Ishkhanyan’s questions addressed to me, which the author concluded like this: «This to the questions sincere to answer case, sure i am, that myself to you I will consider political prisoner»։
First of all, I find it at least strange when an experienced human rights defender determines whether or not to consider this or that person a political prisoner by answering this or that question. It is even more surprising that the human rights defender formulated the questions in such a way that, in case of any answer, he reserves the right to express doubts about the level of their sincerity.
However, I decided to address the publication of Mr. Ishkhanyan, because in the positions of the first deputy minister of defense of RA and the head of the department, I have always emphasized cooperation with civil society and, in particular, human rights organizations. Together, we have done extensive work to establish and strengthen democratic, in this case, control over the Armed Forces by non-governmental organizations.
Over the past three years, I have answered the questions asked by Mr. Ishkhanyan through interviews, statements, as well as during my speech and question and answer in August 2023 at the NA Investigative Committee, which were broadcast live.
I think Mr. Ishkhanyan is actually aware of my position, and the real purpose of raising questions is not to recognize me as a political prisoner or not and is beyond the scope of human rights activities.
Over the past 2.5 years, I have repeatedly stated that I have been illegally deprived of my liberty due to a fabricated criminal case. I have repeatedly demanded an open trial. My lawyers have filed multiple motions to change the restraining order. In any case, I have not heard a public reaction from any human rights defender. Unfortunately, the polarization in our society is also reflected among human rights defenders, who even divide people illegally deprived of their freedom into “their own” and “strangers”, forgetting that the law is for everyone. In my case, the problem is probably more complicated, because I am neither “own” nor “alien” for the political forces and the human rights defenders associated with them.
I have repeatedly said that I am ready to take responsibility for what I have done, but not for what I have not done. I have no intention of fighting for the “title” of a political prisoner, especially by answering a questionnaire in the form of an ultimatum. I think that if Mr. Ishkhanyan and other human rights defenders really want to hear answers from me, they can use the tools at their disposal and join my demand for an open trial.
P.S. Dear Mr. Ishkhanyan, as a geologist addressing a geologist, I sincerely want to “buckle up” to you, as it is said in your famous song “Geologi”. And remind another part of the same song. “In life, too, we can distinguish the precious ore from the empty rock.”