Archbishop Bagrat reveals details of meeting with Gagik Tsarukyan
Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the leader of the Tavush for the Homeland protest movement, on Thursday revealed details of his meeting with Prosperous Armenia Party Chairman Gagik Tsarukyan.
Speaking to reporters at a rally in Yerevan’s central Republic Square, the archbishop said that earlier this week he applied to the Tsarukyan Foundation for assistance to the people affected by the heavy floods in Tavush Province.
“Late on Wednesday, after a debriefing meeting outside St. Anna Church in Yerevan, I went to the Tsarukians' home for a personal visit to see how the Tsarukyan Foundation could help,” he explained.
“Since the meeting was held in a family circle, we hardly talked about this movement. I only briefed him on the situation. Naturally, we touched upon the process. His possible support for the movement wasn’t discussed at all. His mother, children, daughter-in-law and grandson were present at the meeting. What were we supposed to talk about in such an atmosphere?
“But of course we talked about it. I was the one who spoke mostly. Naturally, he expressed concern. I am worried that Mr. Tsarukyan could be targeted again. People are facing arrests after greeting me, which indicates the fears of those in power,” the protest leader said.
He called attention to the prosecution of his close associate and winemaker Hayk Shahnazaryan, who was recently placed under house arrest.
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