YEREVAN. – Ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) influential MP, head of the Armenian Football Federation, big businessman and owner of Harsnakar restaurant Ruben Hayrapetyan withdrew the MP mandate and released a statement on this occasion.
“I would have given everything to prevent the young doctors from being beaten in that evening and to stop the tragedy, which claims life, ruined a family and left children orphans. I would have given everything to make time rotate otherwise, but I am not able to, I will not bring Vahe back. I have to live with this and to face his family.
I have no idea how I should I do this. I do ensure that everything should be done within the law and the accused should be punished no matter how many.
But what matters is not merely the law. It is more complicated. I do realize it. Many people condemn me for things which have no connection with me, but probably they have that right. I am the first one to blame for. I must have prevented the tragedy and was not able to. I should not have allowed such incident to occur in a place having connection to me and my family. I do not forgive myself and do not know how I should ask forgiveness.
I feel moral responsibility and withdraw my MP mandate. I hope one day I will be forgiven by the family of Vahe, and will do everything to deserve it. I condole with all his relatives,” the statement reads.
Earlier today the owner of Harsnakar restaurant MP Ruben Hayrapetyan visited Presidential Residence, Armenian News-NEWS.am sources claim he met with the President Serzh Sargsyan.
To note, military doctor Vahe Avetyan died on June 29 due to being brutally beaten at the aforesaid restaurant on June 17. The agency has informed that several military doctors, including Avetyan were brutally beaten at 11.00 p.m. in the restaurant on June 17. A criminal case was instigated, six people, including Hayrapetyan’s body-guards, were detained.
A candle-lighting ceremony took place on June 30 in the memory of Avetyan, and protest actions have been being held in Yerevan and some of the Diaspora communities during the following days.
Protest participants demand to strictly punish the accused and withdraw Hayrapetyan’s mandate.
