No anti-Russian sentiments in Gyumri – clergyman

In an interview with Tert.am, Head of the Shirak diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Bishop Mikael Ajapahyan commented on the tragedy in Gyumri, when a 6-member family was murdered.

He said that church is calling on the people to remain calm.

“But people raise questions and must get clear answers. I cannot calm them down for life,” he said. The issue of the Russian military base in Gyumri must be discussed at the highest level, Bishop Ajapahyan said.

“The people in Gyumri are not hostages to this military base after all. A baby in the cradle must have security guarantees. Armed Russians have nothing to do in our streets, and it is the government that must guarantee that. A Russian soldier cannot leave a military base, march three kilometers to enter a house and perpetrate a massacre. I think it is clear for everyone.”

“We should not say that people or a clergyman is politicizing. Our people demand security and it is their right. It is not a matter of anti-Russian sentiments or Armenian-Russian relations. Our people deserve safety. A sleeping man must live in safety.”