ArmInfo. MP from the "Armenia" opposition faction Aram Vardevanyan harshly criticized the behavior of Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashyyan, who did not show any reaction in connection with the fatal incident involving his security motorcade. He also criticized the position of some, including the pro-government, media, for their unjustified passivity about this tragic story.
"Partners from "Azatutyun" Radio (RFE/RL's Armenian Service, ed. note), I publicly appeal to you. How is it that you are extremely passive on the fact of a tragic and obvious crime? You use any excuse to mention the name of second President of the Republic of Armenia Robert Kocharyan on the tragic incident in "Poplavok" (Yerevan jazz cafe where Kocharyan's security guard beat a man to death in 2001). Why don't you write that Nikol Pashinyan, seeing the crime personally, left Sona Martirosyan (a pregnant woman who was hit by an escort car at high speed, ed. note) (Article 128 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia). Why don't you write that the person who told the people that his motorcade is stopping and will stop at a red light, is moving around the city at BREAKNECK speed, hitting people, spitting on public order. Write, cover, eliminate hypocrisy," the opposition MP wrote.
It should be noted that earlier, the Investigative Committee of Armenia reported that in the framework of the criminal case initiated under Art. 242 part 2 and art. 244 part 1 of the RA Criminal Code, the necessary investigative actions are being taken to clarify the circumstances of the fatal accident at the intersection of Paronyan and Leo streets. "According to preliminary data, on April 26, at about 18:06, at the indicated intersection, the commander of an officer platoon of the Traffic Police in a Toyota Prado car hit a 28-year- old resident of the Ararat region. The latter with bodily injuries was taken to the Nairi medical center, where she died without regaining consciousness. The driver of the car left the scene of the accident, but later returned to the scene at about 20:05 and took part in investigative measures. He was detained. The preliminary investigation continues," the RA Investigative Committee said in a statement.
This 28-year-old pregnant woman who died in this accident by the motorcade of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was Sona Mnatsakanyan. In the evening, citizens began to bring toys, flowers and burning candles to the scene of an accident that claimed two lives. It is also worth adding that the news that after the accident, none of the seven cars accompanying the prime minister's motorcade stopped to help the woman caused a wide public outcry. However, the prime minister's office only commented "Nikol Pashinyan was not driving." Neither condolences were expressed in connection with the tragic incident, nor words of regret. We note that Sona Mnatsakanyan was a founding member of Support Our Heroes and the leader of the Artsakh Tever IT Center project group within SOH. "Sona will always remain in our hearts as an exemplary patriot and a dear friend with great human values. Our condolences to Sona's family, loved ones, friends…", the respective message of Support Our Heroes – Armenia reads.