Armenian intellectuals say solving issues through extremist measures is unacceptable

YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. To achieve a goal through extremist measures is condemnable no matter how noble the idea is, “Armenpress” reports, President of the Writers’ Union of Armenia Edvard Militonyan and Director of Hovhannes Tumanyan Puppet Theatre Ruben Babayan said referring to the incident of police HQ ambush in Yerevan. “There are always various issues and complaints among the public, but it doesn’t mean that issues must be solved through extremist measures. To solve the political issues through terrorism is unacceptable. Justifying the murder and violence will lead to a great evil in the future. All issues can be legally solved”, Edvard Militonyan said. He urges the gunmen to lay down the weapons and not endanger both their and others’ life.

In his turn Ruben Babayan said: “Issues cannot be solved through murder. Even the brightest idea will have no meaning if a man will be killed there. Ideas are not the driving force for mankind, rather, measures are important which implement those ideas. For instance, Communists had a great idea which was global justice and equality, but with what measures those ideas were implemented?”, Babayan said. He said the gunmen’s actions are terrorism. “They cannot change anything through such actions. Any leadership who will become subject to such demands, has no right to remain in power since in the future these actions will also encourage others to take such steps to reach their goals”, Babayan said.

In the morning of July 17 gunmen stormed a Police HQ in Yerevan and took hostages – demanding the release of Zhirayr Sefilyan, who was imprisoned a month ago, charged with illegal possession, transportation and acquirement of weapons and ammunition. Police Colonel Artur Vanoyan has been killed by the gunmen during the ambush. Colonel Aram Hovhannisyan, Lt.-Colonel Hrach Khosteghyan, Corporal Gagik Mkrtchyan received gunshot wounds. 4 people are being held hostage.