ArmInfo. Public dissatisfaction with the candidacy of Vahram Avetisyan, nominated by the government for the Constitutional Court judge, is a kind of litmus paper, which reveals a broader picture. The Chairman of the European Party of Armenia Tigran Khzmalyan expressed a similar opinion to ArmInfo.
"Showing such keen interest in seemingly insignificant aspects of a judge's life: biography, family and other ties, etc. we all strive for the same thing - justice. Justice in courts and all bodies directly or indirectly connected with courts and judges. It was the thirst for justice that became the main catalyst that inspired our society into action in the spring of 2018. Nevertheless, I cannot but note that, unfortunately, not a single state institution has undergone revolutionary changes over the past two years and two months, " he stressed.
Khzmalyan, in this light, by no means shares the authorities' statements about democratization, an increase in the level of pluralism, and freedom of speech in society and the country. The politician perceives the current situation in Armenia as a deviation from the initially declared course. And, in his opinion, society takes this retreat so hard, first of all, due to the fact that it personally endowed the current parliament and government with power.
"Neither Robert Kocharyan, nor Serzh Sargsyan was elected by us. These people came to power as a result of coups. The current government came to power as a result of the free expression of the popular will. It was this will that became a small but very important victory for us. Our common victory, which, unfortunately, the ruling power refuses and betrays today, "he said.
As an example, the politician cited the problem of Amulsar, which has not been solved for 2 years. Khzmalyan is convinced that Amulsar is just the tip of the iceberg of the global environmental problem in Armenia. Problems that are a threat to national security and contain problems of a political, social and even psychological nature.
This attitude of the government to the problem of such importance is regarded by the politician as a challenge to civil society. As a betrayal of the generally accepted democratic principles and ideals, in support of which practically the entire Armenian people stood up in 2018. The Amulsar mine, the second in proven gold reserves in Armenia, is located 10 km from the Jermuk resort and the Kechut reservoir, which has an exit to Lake Sevan. The latter is one of the main reasons for the protest of environmentalists against the development of the field.
Since the summer of 2018, activists have blocked the roads leading to the mine, thus preventing its operation. The Armenian government does not express a clear position on the problem and ways of its settlement. Although both sides of the confrontation require this.