Levon Ter-Petrosyan urges citizens to refrain from participating in Pashinyan`s anti-church rally

ArmInfo. Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the first president of Armenia,  has urged citizens not to participate in the anti-church rally organized by current Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in Vagharshapat, the home of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. In a post on his Facebook page titled "The Last Chance to Avoid Bloodshed," he noted "Dear Mr. Prime Minister, before it is too late, cancel the decision to hold a rally in Vagharshapat and immediately release political prisoners, first of all, Archbishops Bagrat and Mikael and Samvel Karapetyan," Ter-Petrosyan wrote.

He also expressed confidence that the Armenian people would view  this step  not as a sign of weakness, but as a manifestation of common sense befitting a statesman. "Otherwise, Mr. Prime Minister, you will bear sole responsibility for any potential clashes and bloodshed, earning the infamous reputation of Father Gapon," Ter-Petrosyan continued.

In conclusion, he urged his compatriots to refrain from participating in the Prime Minister's rally  at all costs  to avoid its unpredictable consequences. "Remember, the government exists to ensure the well-being and security of your families, not to oppress and endanger you," the first president of Armenia concluded.