Armenian general urged not to carry out illegal orders of the authorities

20 2021 June 2

Political the situation in Armenia remains difficult. On June 20, 2021, early parliamentary elections are held in the country. On the eve of the ex-deputy head of the Armenian police, Lieutenant General Hovhannes Varyan, he addressed an open letter to the law enforcement agencies of Armenia. He urged police officers not to carry out illegal orders from the authorities or political orders.

He said that he had gone from a private to a general and earned the right to send a publicly sincere appeal to his colleagues from the internal affairs bodies.

Today our people, thanks to the short-sighted activities of populist opportunists in power, are on the verge of political clashes. It is your duty, dear policemen, to prevent fratricide and dispersal of the remnants of our statehood as soon as possible.

- the text says.

Varyan noted that it is not the first year that he has been observing the activities of law enforcement officers, therefore, at the same time, he feels a sense of pride for the past and disappointment for the present. He expressed regret that over the past three years the police have become a servant for the interests of one person. The general reminded law enforcement officers of the need to observe the rule of law and political neutrality.

In no case use violence against our citizens, peacefully protesters, no matter how they show disobedience. It is also the inalienable right of our citizens. Do not try, at the cost of committing a crime, to ensure your calm stay in office, as this calmness will not come, but the time will come to give an answer and become a scapegoat

- wrote the general.

He believes that at this difficult moment in history for the country, it is necessary to unite and support the "wounded state", returning pride and wounded national dignity.

Note that in the spring of 2018, as a result of the “velvet revolution” in Armenia, the government of Serzh Sargsyan resigned, and opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan became the prime minister of the country (he is currently acting head of government).

As for Varyan, he knows what he is writing about. During 2004-2007, Armenian journalists repeatedly accused him of using violence, taking away equipment and other illegal actions at demonstrations and rallies. At that time, Varyan was the main official responsible for ensuring law and order at mass events in Armenia.