Karabakh war veteran goes on hunger strike

Karabakh war veteran Shamir Sahakian went on a hunger strike in Liberty Square of Yerevan. Sahakian was 16 years old when he fought in the Aghdam battles, Aysor.am was informed by Karabakh war veteran, retired Colonel Volodya Avetisian.

“We together with a group of azatamartiks (Karabakh war veterans) are supporting Shamir by holding a 24-hour sit-in in the square,” Avetisian said, adding that Shamir Sahakian participated in the war voluntary and was disabled.

“Shamir is entitled to receive a house. The defense minister selected a house for him. But the issue was delayed by red tape and now we are told that azatamartiks will be given houses in 2018. Prior to that, he and his two minor children will have to rent an apartment,” Volodya Avetisian explained, adding that the sit-in will probably last until July 17.

“The date, by which the prime minister promised to deal with our problems, expires on July 17. We are going to meet with the prime minister on that day and then we will decide what to do next,” Avetisian noted.