ArmInfo. The second and third presidents of Armenia Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan expressed condolences over the death of human rights activist Avetik Ishkhanyan.
Robert Kocharyan's condolences read, in particular: "I learned with deep pain about the untimely death of Avetik Ishkhanyan. He was one of those exceptional human rights activists whose activities deserve high praise for their fearlessness, integrity and concern for the fate of the state.
I express my condolences to the family, relatives and comrades of Avetik Ishkhanyan."
And in the condolences of Serzh Sargsyan, in particular, it is said: "With deep pain I learned about the death of human rights activist, public figure, member of the "Karabakh" committee Avetik Ishkhanyan. Our current reality: the loss of Artsakh, a clear understanding of the situation prevailing in Armenia in recent years have exhausted this intellectual, who wrote numerous scientific works, journalistic articles, who did not come to terms with this reality and until his last days fought against those who are responsible for it, human rights activist, public figure Avetik Ishkhanyan. This pain and anger are fully expressed in his farewell words.
In this difficult moment of loss, I express my deepest condolences and support to the family, friends, relatives and colleagues of Avetik Ishkhanyan."
Avetik Ishkhanyan passed away on February 16. On February 25, he would have turned 70. The news of the death of the human rights activist was reported by his relatives, who, at his request, published his farewell words on the social network Facebook.
"Farewell words:
The war of 2020, provoked by the traitor-prime minister, threw me off balance, and on November 9, one can say, it destroyed my life. After that, I still had hope that by eliminating the traitor, it would be possible to restore order in some issues, change the course of events that seemed irreversible.
However, alas, not only were we unable to eliminate the tyrant responsible for the defeat and his symbol, but he further strengthened his power, continuing to sell out the homeland.
Over the years, I have been deeply disappointed by many people close to me: relatives, friends, colleagues, as well as the Armenian people and all of humanity... even myself. My nerves could not withstand all this, and my health was deteriorating with each passing day. I no longer see the slightest glimmer of hope for the future of Armenia and Artsakh.
As a member of the "Karabakh" committee, whose goal was the liberation of Artsakh, today I feel my responsibility and at the same time my powerlessness in the Artsakh issue.
I do not want to see the final destruction of my homeland, I do not want my children to be persecuted because of my behavior, I do not want to become a burden to my loved ones and friends with my mood and health. Life has become a suffering for me, both physical and moral. Every night, going to bed, I had great hopes of never waking up again.
Forgive me, if you can, first of all my wife Nune, my mother Byurak Cheraz-Andreasyan, my sons Rafael and Hrachya, my sister Varduhi, all my relatives, friends and supporters." Ishkhanyan, in his farewell speech, also published lines from a poem by the great Armenian poet Vahan Teryan.