The official, Tigran Ter-Margarian, has been charged with violent assault along with three of his subordinates. But investigators have refrained from arresting Ter-Margarian. Nor has he been fired by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinian. While condemning the beating of the blogger Artur Chakhoyan, Avinian made clear on Monday that he “will not take on the role of judge.”
Ter-Margarian is a senior member of the pro-Western Hanrapetutyun (Republic) party that helped Avinian become mayor in the wake of the ruling Civil Contract party’s worse-than-expected showing in a 2023 municipal election. The Hanrapetutyun leader, Aram Sarkisian, has essentially justified the Nor Nork chief’s actions, calling them a legitimate response to a Russian-backed “provocation.”
Simonian, who is a leading member of Civil Contract, warned that Hanrapetutyun will lose many votes in the next elections if it lets Ter-Margarian hold on to his post.
“It takes courage to take political responsibility,” he told reporters. “If they, Tigran Ter-Margarian, Mr. Sarkisian show that courage, I am sure that this will only bring positive things to the pro-European, free-thinking, freedom-loving force during the next elections.”
Simonian did not say why Avinian does not fire the violent official. He dismissed suggestions that the mayor and Civil Contract have not done that for fear of losing control of the municipality. He cited the Hanrapetutyun leader’s assurances that that the party will not bring down the Yerevan mayor even if Ter-Margarian is sacked.
Investigators have also brought hooliganism charges against Chakhoyan. The blogger, who spent several days in hospital, is prosecuted in connection with another, nonviolent incident that happened in the Nor Nork administration building the day before his beating.
Chakhoyan on Thursday again decried the fact that Ter-Margarian continues to run the district. He said the Nor Nork chief would have already been in jail had he been affiliated with an opposition party.
Armenian opposition leaders have likewise condemned the authorities for letting Ter-Margarian get away with the violence.