Letter of “Hay Aspet” to Prime Minister of Turkey

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: The winners of “Hay Aspet” (“Armenian Knight”) TV project has addressed a letter of complaint to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chairman of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso. The letter mentions that the children, being this August in the Western Armenia, have been roughly treated by a Turk policeman, who did not allow them to pray and light a candle in Surb Khach Church, Aghtamar.

Director of “Hay Aspet” fund Karin Tonoyan told today journalists that this offence concerns not only the “Armenian knights” but the whole Armenian society as well. She also noted that the letter will be presented to all the embassies in Armenia. According to Mrs. Tonoyan, we must not take part in the liturgy to be held September 19 in Surb Khach. “The church is already surrounded by Turkish flags and Kemal’s photos.

Is not this mockery?” she said. That day “Hay Aspet” undertook a ceremony of lighting of candles at the hill of Aragats, next to a cross-stone. “Misinformation is spread about Ani as well, as if Ani has been built in the 12th century, aiming to connect it with the Seljuk Turks in some way,” Mrs. Tonoyan stressed. She also presented an incident, which, unfortunately, has not been fixed by camera.

The children of “Hay Aspet” have tried to burn incense next to the tomb of the Artsrounies in Aghtamar, but a Turkish policeman has approached and trampled. “This was an encroachment against the Armenian, his/her religion, history and identity,” Mrs. Tonoyan said.