Armenian Football Federation Head refuses his deputy mandate

YEREVAN, July 4. /ARKA/. National Assembly deputy, Head of Armenian Football Federation Ruben Hayrapetyan announced Tuesday on refusing the deputy mandate , Novosti-Armenia reports.

Mayor Vahe Avetyan, Head of Department of ENT at Yerevan Garrison Hospital, and two of his colleagues were brutally beaten at Harsnaqar restaurant on June 17. According to some media sources, Avetyan was beaten by Hayrapetyan’s bodyguards. Despite all the efforts by the doctors Avetyan died without regaining consciousness at Central Clinical Hospital on June 29.

“I declare, that I feel a moral responsibility, and I refuse my National Assembly mandate. I apologize in front of all my constituents for being unable so far to meet their expectations, however I am confident in rationality and necessity of this step. I am inclined to believe that residents of Avan ( the electoral district in Yerevan, that was represented by Hayarapetyan in the parliament) will understand me correctly. I hope to receive forgiveness from Vahe’s family one day,” Hayrapetyan said in a statement spread by the Armenian Football Federation.

Hayrapetyan highlights he would give everything “ to be there on that sinistrous day, to curb the force over the young people, to stop the tragedy which resulted in death, destroyed families and made the children orphans.”

“I would give everything to bring the time back. But I can’t. Vahe has passed away. And I have to live with it. And I have to look into the eyes of Vahe’s family members. I don’t know how,” he said in his statement.

He expressed certainty that “everything will be conducted under the law, and if there are 100 guilty individuals, there will be 100 penalties.”

“But the matter is not only in law, the problem is much more complex, and I realize it excellently,” he noted.

“Today many people blame me on some things which I have nothing to do with: probably, they have a right for that. However, it is me who blames myself first of all. I must have prevented this misfortune, but failed to do it. This incident must not have happened in the place which belongs to me or my family. I don’t forgive myself, and I have no idea of how to get this forgiveness. My heart is with all the relatives,” Hayrapetyan stated.

Law enforcement bodies started a criminal case under 112 article of the Penal code (intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm). Six individuals have already been arrested. The Police ensures that all the responsible for the crime individuals will be punished severely under the law. 

The incident with the death of the doctor raised a wide public resonance. Many Facebook users are putting Vahe Avetyan’s photo as their profile pictures. Protests are going on in Yerevan. -0-