Armenia`s ex-presidents offer condolences on death of human rights  activist Avetik Ishkhanyan

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.