PR and propaganda fail in the face of reality in Armenia army

Yes, tragic incidents in the army happened in the past too. Yes, we may not have realised their full extend in the past due to lack of publicity. There might be some truth in such statements, but they cannot be used to justify the appalling reality of violence and abuse in the Armenian army that tend to turn into routine statistics of non-combat deaths as part of daily news headlines.

3 deaths + “incidents” in 5 days... Plus all those soldiers who were killed or ‘suicided’ over the past year or so... This is an indication of endemic problems of violence and bullying in our army and lawlessness on all the levels of military management and beyond that, without addressing properly and comprehensively, unsurprisingly getting worse and worse... And a reflection of complacency towards violence in our society where machismo still rules.

Ironically, even now state propaganda machine tries blaming “foreign sponsored NGOs” and human rights activists for damaging army’s reputation and its military and psychological capabilities with their criticism, publicity and demands. So it’s not murders or ‘suicides’ of soldiers but publicity surrounding those incidents and demand for answers and responsibilities that damage Armenia’s security and defense?!

We may do the most impressive breathtaking military parades for propaganda purposes. But any propaganda or PR exercise fail spectacularly when facing such realities.

Exposed online. First - denial. Now - confirmation. Sadistic officer in Armenia army arrested and faces up to 5 years in prison for abuse of soldiers

When we first exposed the video, they said it was ‘fabricated’ without even preliminary investigation. In an initial statement by MoD there were even threats to those who made and disseminate the video with partly successful but inevitably unsuccessful attempts to erase the video from the Internet.

“The Ministry of Defence of Armenia strongly condemns preparation and deliberate dissemination of such materials aimed at discrediting and diminishing the reputation of the armed forces of Armenia.”

Speaking before the parliament, Minister of Defence Seyran Ohanyan called the video a “disinformation”. “It’s a disinformation about our army, and I do not believe what was captured on that video has really taken place”, he said. Some pseudo-patriotic circles immediately pointed fingers towards the ‘enemy side’.

However... Only hours after the Minister’s statement, sadistic officer was identified and detained, and we received an official confirmation of the authenticity of the video.

In its latest statement, “the Armenian Defense Ministry officially confirmed on Wednesday the identity of an army officer who was arrested last week for abusing his soldiers and is now facing up to five years in prison.”

The arrest followed the circulation of an amateur Youtube video that shows a uniform-clad man hitting and humiliating two army conscripts during what looks like a picnic. The footage caused public outrage, prompting the Armenian military to order an inquiry.

The Defense Ministry initially questioned its veracity and said those who posted it on the Internet are keen to “discredit” the Armed Forces. Subsequent media reports said military investigators tracked down the officer shown in the clip. He was identified as Major Sasun Galstian, deputy commander of an army unit deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In a written statement, the ministry said Galstian was arrested and formally charged last Friday under an article of the Criminal Code dealing with abuse of power committed by servicemen. It carries between two and five years’ imprisonment.

The ministry statement also identified the two soldiers allegedly mistreated by Galstian, saying that they both will be examined by forensic medics. It said the video was shot in July on a mobile phone belonging to another serviceman, in the presence of his father and brother.

I’d like to re-cite this comment made under my initial post by Ara Manoogian, who re-uploaded the video on YouTube (after it was removed) and consequently faced threats of violence and demands to remove the video:

"I not only think we have a problems with violence in the army, but we have a bigger problem with people willing to face the realities that exist in our nation today, thus presumably an unwillingness to face them head on and deal with them."

So true.

What is the most important and key here is to eradicate and fight the root cause of the problem. We all know very well, without the need of videos to prove, that bullying and hazing do exist and widespread in the armed forces and need urgent intervention. Emerging videos or reports simply highlight this disturbing reality and should be taken as a call for actions. Status quo is a violation of human rights of servicemen and consequently a real threat to the national security of Armenia.

While current developments may be considered as a victory for online activists who exposed and distributed the video in the first place, this will only become a real victory for all of us, including MoD, if Armenian officials face up the widespread problems of corruption and abuse in the army and initiate radical reforms to ensure that similar displays of sadism as well as “suicides” and non combat deaths are prevented and dealt with. In the world of Internet, cover up is an outdated concept.

Disgusting. New video allegedly shows bullying and violence in the Armenian army

UPDATE 23 September 2010: Exposed online. First - denial. Now - confirmation. Sadistic officer in Armenia army arrested and faces up to 5 years in prison for abuse of soldiers

UPDATE 17 September 2010: Armenia MoD confirms that those depicted in army hazing video were identified and detained. More details to be provided.

UPDATE 16 September 2010: Video was removed from Dailymotion too, but available elsewhere, e.g. on YouTube. It keeps getting removed and reappearing again. What is more important is that according to the media reports, the sadistic officer on the video was identified, and soon Armenian MoD will make a statement. MoD refused so far to confirm media reports. Will keep you posted on developments.

UPDATE 12 September 2010: Video was removed from YouTube "due to terms of use violation", but re-appeared on Dailymotion.
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This video was put on YouTube today and started circulating on Facebook. It titled (AM) Բանակի իրական դեմքը (‘The real face of the army’) and allegedly shows bullying and physical violence in the Armenian army. No description for the video is provided, and it’s not known when and where this video was taken. I can only assume it was taken via mobile phone.




Urgent investigation is needed to reveal the full details of this incident. What is depicted in this video is simply disgusting. This follows recent cases of “suicides” and non combat deaths in the Armenian army. Over the last couple of days there were more reports on “suicide” and non combat violence in the Armenian army.

This video is similar to previously emerged alleged photo evidence of beating in Armenian army as well as similar incidents in Azerbaijan (see here and here)

'Suicide soldier' (graffiti in Yerevan)

*by Garik Engibaryan and Edgar Amroyan, underground pass at Khandjyan-Vardanants crossroad, close to the statue of Vardan Mamikonyan

Armenia: Quote of the Day (AM)

"Հայաստանում կան առնվազն երկու պետական կառույցներ՝ Պաշտանության նախարարություն եւ Ոստիկանություն, որոնց ներս մուտք գործելով, ՀՀ քաղաքացիները պարբերաբար ինքնասպանություն են գործում:"

*source: Հրանտ Տէր-Աբրահամեան Ինքնասպան լինեք դո՛ւք

Related to: “Suicide”... or evidence of abuse and ill-treatment in the Armenian army?

and Armenia police: shoot to kill?

“Suicide”... or evidence of abuse and ill-treatment in the Armenian army?

This morning many Armenian users of Facebook (myself including) were shocked (read also here) by learning of yet another "suicide" in the army. Artak Nazaryan, contract service officer/commander in Armenia’s Tavush region, brother of local journalist Tsovinar (currently studying in the US), died of what the Ministry of Defense wants us to believe a “suicide”. A Facebook group was set up demanding the truth to this story Չի´ կարելի լռել.

It was shocking... not because it was the first such incident. There has been quite a few similar cases over the past years (and not only in the army), and relatives of those died regularly protest in front of the government building demanding justice for what they believe a cover-up of abuse and ill treatment in the Armenian army.

It was shocking... not only because he was a brother of journalist, friend of many Facebook users, although this fact certainly added a very personal touch to the tragedy.

It was shocking... because IT IS SHOCKING. Any single “suicide” case in the army is shocking.

Mother and relatives mentioned of “tensions” they lately noticed and that Artak did not fit in.

“Mom, I want to be a different commander for soldiers. I do not want to be like them”. He was considered a “weak commander” because “he did not beat up soldiers”.

Reports (via Lragir, + picture above) indicate on traces of physical violence found during the autopsy. Reports suggest they were left six hours before Artak Nazaryan’s death. The Ministry of Defense officials did not offer immediate condolences. Instead, they were quick to present this case as a “suicide” which reminds a very recent similar attempt by the Armenia police chief. (+ Forced suicide is a murder)

How long this culture of abuse and ill-treatment will continue in the Armenian army?

Below are few similarly shocking cases of “suicide” in the Armenian army from the archives of Helsinki Association (2007 reports, Armenia and Karabakh). Apparently, nothing much has since changed.

This should be a wake-up call for Armenia Defense Minister and the authorities to clean up this horrific and disgraceful state of affairs still prevalent in the army. In fact, they should have acted yesterday. Time is running out.

[language below as in original]
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Investigator to the case – It’s a murder for 99 percent

On 07 July 2007 Hovhannes Meltonyan, a soldier performing his compulsory military service in No. 27229 military unit of the Defense Ministry of Armenia, was killed. According to an official version, unable to endure beatings and scoffing by his co-servicemen, he entered the armory-room of the company shot himself by the machine-gun assigned to him.

However, both the parents of H. Meltonyan and his representatives claim that the official version is false and groundless. Both the facts and the reliable statements made by the injured party show that H. Meltonyan was killed by three co-servicemen. This is stated orally by prosecutors belonging to military prosecutor office, who, still insist on the version they find suitable – SUICIDE. According to the medical examiner’s report, traces of beatings and torture were found on the body of the deceased. Seven days after the incident, the father of the killed solider went to the prosecution office and evidenced as soldiers who were witnesses to the case of his son’s death, were tortured and intimidated. This allows us to come to a conclusion that the investigation needs “good evidence” to this case.

Discontinue or not?

On 10 August 2005 at 06:45 the corpse of Private Robert Hovhannisyan, an Armenian national, was found in one of the military posts of the artillery battalion belonging to the No. 36534 military unit of the Defense Ministry of Armenia (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic), with firearm wound in the head. According to the medical examiner’s report, the corpse bore many traces of torture. A. Krkyasharyan, an investigator to the case, brought charges against several persons by adopting the version of suicide. However, unable to reason his false approach to the incident, he suspended the case due to the impossibility to find those who committed the crime.

It is clear that the investigator is not willing to uncover the murder. In April 2007 the injured party applied to Prosecutor General of Armenia with a request to consult with the case-file. Right after the request was submitted, the military prosecutor cancelled the suspension order and remitted the case to an additional investigation. The injured party filed a challenge against the investigator in charge of the case and the other day received quite an unexpected reply – the case has been suspended once more.

Suicide is the only way out

According to the papers presented by the prosecution office, on 07 July 2007 at 6:30 a.m. Garik Mikayelyan, an Armenian national, who was performing compulsory military service as Liaison Platoon Commander at No.75937 military unit located in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, suffered a power shock from a power supply station located in the military unit. He received third-degree burns of the upper extremities and as a result had both his arms amputated. A criminal case No. 90603507 was opened into the incident led by investigator Gnel Manukyan.

From the information that we possess and the statements made by G. Mikayelyan it can be drawn that the attempted suicide was prompted by a number of senior military officers of the military unit, who had regularly beaten, abused and demeaned the soldier. Some time after the incident they kept G. Mikayelyan in the military unit without medical aid hoping that he would die and never tell the truth. Besides these facts, it becomes evident from the way the investigation is carried out that the investigation is not concerned to conduct an impartial investigation and to find those guilty.

Private Arsen Simonyan commited suicide by shooting himself 8 times

Arsen Simonyan, an Armenian national who was performing his military service in N.36534 military unit of the Defense Ministry of Armenia (Republic of Nagorno Karabakh) died on 7 July 2005. Officials state that he committed suicide. Investigation says A. Simonyan’s “suicide” was prompted by constant abuses he was subjected to by his co-servicemen, namely Junior Sergeant M. Mkhitaryan and Sergeant G. Barseghyan.

Eight cartridge cases were found in the area where the incident took place. Both witnesses and accused alleged during the trial that the prosecution investigators obtained evidence under torture. Soldiers that happened to serve with the late A. Simonyan in the same military platoon were taken to the Military Prosecution Office of Hadrut Region of Nagorno Karabakh Republic where they were kept for 20 days. During that time the investigation was “getting” necessary evidence from them in the presence of G. Mailyan, Commander of the battalion they all belonged to.

Documented case of rape in the Armenian army

For more - Brutality of Homophobia in Armenia (presentation by Lala Aslikyan)

History in making: California legalises same-sex marriage

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives:

"I welcome the California Supreme Court’s historic decision. I have long fought against discrimination and believe that the State Constitution provides for equal treatment for all of California’s citizens and families, which today’s decision recognizes.

I commend the plaintiffs from San Francisco for their courage and commitment. I encourage California citizens to respect the Court’s decision, and I continue to strongly oppose any ballot measure that would write discrimination into the State Constitution.

Today is a significant milestone for which all Californians can take pride."

This decision is important for me for several reasons:

- Importance for gay rights movement and equality in the US and worldwide;

- Influence of this decision on California’s large Armenian Diaspora where homophobic mentality is still prevalent;

- Influence of this decision, via world headlines, US and Diaspora influences on Republic of Armenia.

Here is hoping that California’s Supreme Court landmark ruling will help to prevent tragedies similar to the one we recently witnessed within the Armenian community there, when gay Armenian in LA committed suicide after being forced into marriage.

For more details - see Unzipped: Gay Armenia

*source of photo - Petrelis Files: Gay community celebrates California's landmark decision on Castro Street, San Franciso, last night

A1+ covers story of gay Armenian in LA who committed suicide after being forced into marriage

http://www.a1plus.am/amu/?page=issue&iid=59803

ԻՆՔՆԱՍՊԱՆ Է ԵՂԵԼ ԱՄՈՒՍՆԱՆԱԼՈՒ ՊԱՏՃԱՌՈՎ
[11:17] 22 Ապրիլի, 2008

Ամերիկայի Լոս Անջելոս քաղաքի հայկական համայնքում մեծ աղմուկ է բարձրացել 22-ամյա համասեռամոլ տղայի ինքնասպանության պատմությունը: Երեկ արդեն հայկական ֆորումներում եւ ինտերնետային բոլոր միջոցներով բազմաթիվ քաղաքացիներ իրենց բողոքն էին արտահայտում եւ խնդրում տարածել հաղորդագրությունը:

Պատճառն այն է, որ տղան ինքնասպանություն է գործել ընտանիքի կողմից ճնշման արդյունքում աղջկա հետ ամուսնանալուց հետո: Տղայի ընկերներից մեկը պատմում է, որ տղայի ծնողները ամաչում էին նրա համար, ճնշում էին գործադրում` ապրելու հայկական համայնքում ընդունված ավանդույթի համաձայն: ՚Նա վերջին օրերին խիստ սթրեսի մեջ էր եւ հոգեկան ճնշված վիճակումՙ,-պատմում է ընկերը:

Սփյուռքահայության շրջանում աղմուկը բարձրացել է եւ քննարկման մասնակիցները ասում են, որ սա հաճախ հանդիպող դեպքերից մեկն է, եւ մեր հասարակությունում դեռ շարունակվում է հոմոֆոբիան օրինաչափ լինել:

*For details of this story, see here

Gay Armenian in LA committed suicide after being forced into marriage

I am very angered and very saddened. News on suicide committed by young gay Armenian guy in LA (Los Angeles, US) after being forced into marriage proves once more that Armenian society - whether in Armenia or Diaspora - with its ‘traditional values’, intolerance and homophobia is responsible for his death.

Thanks to his friend, we learned about this story. How many similar cases pass hidden?!

I ask Armenian bloggers, media representatives, anyone who has links with local (both in Armenia and Diaspora) and international media to disseminate this story as widely as possible. Time to speak up. Enough is enough! We should prevent similar tragedies from happening in future.

I tried to summarise what is known so far about this guy based on PINK Armenia press release and comments in Yesoudo: LGBT discussion group.

A few days ago a young gay Armenian in LA committed suicide... He was 22 years old. The stress of being gay was too hard for him to handle. He was forced to get married with an Armenian girl to cover up his sexuality... He came out to his family and they forced him to marry a girl to keep up appearances... and sadly 3 months into the marriage . . . he couldn’t take it anymore... he was under a lot of stress from his family and the general stress that the Armenian community brings to the table about homosexuality...

Here is what his friend has to say:

[He was] an amazing friend of mine… we loved him dearly... he was young, smart and handsome... god I’m going to miss him...
REST IN PEACE MY GOOD FRIEND WE WILL MISS YOU.

What is wrong with Armenians how can we keep letting this happen! This isn’t right, this isn’t fair! The sad part is no one mentions that he did it because he was gay! He even wrote it in his suicide note and no one mentions it! How many Armenians are we going to lose like this!

For more details - see Unzipped: Gay Armenia