Armenian fascism under “top secret” classification From oblivion to the grave

Famous videoblogger Albert Isakov continues to expose Armenia's fascist policies on his YouTube channel. What is crucial, however, is that he does so by referencing Armenian sources themselves. In the early days of January this year, Isakov spread video footage of a speech made by the first President of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, on the occasion of the occupation of the Azerbaijani city of Aghdam on July 23, 1993, before members of the terrorist organization "Yerkrapah." During the speech, Ter-Petrosyan boasts of the "cleansing of Armenia" from representatives of other nationalities and admits that ethnic cleansing in Armenia and Karabakh, during which more than a million Azerbaijanis were expelled from their ancestral lands, was a key part of the policy of Armenian nationalists, who had territorial claims against Azerbaijan.

It is not difficult to guess that Armenia attempted to veil and even justify Ter-Petrosyan's fascist admissions. Some Telegram channels accused Azerbaijani media of "manipulation," claiming that "attempts by Azerbaijani media to interpret Ter-Petrosyan's statements as manifestations of racism are unfounded, and it is important to understand the context of those events." Other Armenian information outlets even began accusing Albert Isakov and Azerbaijani media of "completely distorting the essence of Levon Ter-Petrosyan's statement."

As the saying goes, strike while the iron is hot. This is exactly what Albert Isakov did, publishing video footage of the second part of the event that took place on July 23, 1993. And here, it becomes clear why Ter-Petrosyan's speech in 1993 was never made public. This happened because Vazgen Sargsyan, the leader of the terrorist organization "Yerkrapah," Armenia's Defence Minister, and Ter-Petrosyan's defence advisor, who was standing next to Ter-Petrosyan, prohibited the press and attendees from disclosing what the first president of Armenia had said during the meeting. If, as Armenian Telegram channels and media outlets are now attempting to cleanse themselves of the mud and justify their position, claiming that "Azerbaijanis are manipulating" and "completely distorting the essence of Levon Ter-Petrosyan's statement," then why did the "sparapet" (commander) classify that speech of his then-boss?

However, let's listen to what Albert Isakov himself says:

"Many of you were shocked by the video I posted on my YouTube channel, specifically the speech of the first President of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, before the 'Yerkrapah' militants. It was the summer of 1993. On that day, Armenian militants entered Aghdam, occupied the city, and this speech, full of racist remarks – it’s on my channel – caused a very strong reaction in Azerbaijan. Many people were shocked by the fascist, Nazi-like content of the speech. Why is that speech nowhere to be found, neither on the internet nor on any channels? The only thing I found, I posted. And now, friends, new details are emerging. You will see why this speech was classified and why it is surfacing after all these years.

In the hall, along with the other leaders of the 'Yerkrapah' movement, is the Defence Minister of Armenia, at that time, Vazgen Sargsyan. He throws a remark, a person approaches him, says something, and he begins to comment and give specific instructions to those present in the hall. Pay attention to what he says."

The speech by Sargsyan continues:

"In our state policy, I believe the most valuable aspect is that, unlike previous years, the beginning of the century, and earlier times, our policy does not run ahead of current events, without unnecessary shouting and calls. In the end, our people are more capable of action than words, and this is one of the greatest guarantees of our success. This is the result of serious political work. Often, very often to the detriment of their personal authority, even allowing insults directed at them, government and political figures never reveal their cards, and our state policy should be judged by results, not by current discussions and disputes, by the press, or what is covered in the press. In this regard, today, and here, the president of the republic, specifically in front of this audience, allowed himself to say things that I would not have said. The atmosphere here is one of trust, and being among people he trusts, the president said things that I would not have said, especially that part of the speech related to Aghdam.

Can you imagine what would happen in the international press if it was spread that the president of the republic, in a meeting with military personnel, declared that Aghdam had been captured? In another case, I wouldn't have spoken about this, but I myself, as a former journalist, know that our people love sensationalism. I ask everyone present to take note of this. The president’s speech, that part, is not subject to publication. It is for here, in this room, for these people, for these guys, and it should not be widely circulated. It will only harm us. I will now continue our gathering."

It should be specifically noted that in an interview with domestic television channels on January 7, 2025, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, also addressed the circulated video footage of Ter-Petrosyan’s speech. "The independent Armenian state is actually a fascist state. Because if this country has been led by proponents of fascist ideology for nearly 30 years, they have shaped this country the way they did. Now look, the racist and fascist statements of the first president of Armenia are as ugly as they are dangerous. He portrays ethnic cleansing as a source of pride, bragging about the expulsion of Azerbaijanis from their historical ancestral lands. This video, as they say, has now been made public. But, of course, they knew this in Armenia," said President Aliyev.

Of course, the Armenians knew about the brutal deportation of Azerbaijanis from Western Azerbaijan. They knew they had occupied the lands of a neighbouring country—lands that had never belonged to them. In Armenia, they naively believed that this situation would continue forever, that the world, and even Azerbaijan itself, would eventually come to terms with the occupation of Karabakh. But they were mistaken. All of Armenia’s fascist plans were thwarted by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, and the unity of the people. Azerbaijan has fully restored its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Karabakh is actively being rebuilt, with more than 30,000 people already returned. The day is not far off when Azerbaijanis will return to their historic lands in Western Azerbaijan.

And what became of the key participants in that disgraceful event of July 23, 1993? Six years later, on February 3, 1998, Ter-Petrosyan resigned from the presidency of Armenia under pressure from the Karabakh clan—the then-Prime Minister Robert Kocharyan and the Minister of Internal Affairs and National Security, Serzh Sargsyan, whom he himself had brought to Yerevan. He was also not supported by his own Defence Minister, Vazgen Sargsyan. Today, "Grandfather," as Armenians refer to Ter-Petrosyan behind his back, holds no significance in Armenian society, as evidenced by the results of the early parliamentary elections in Armenia in 2021—only 1.5% of voters supported the Ter-Petrosyan-led Armenian National Congress (which replaced the Armenian Pan-National Movement), amounting to fewer than 20,000 people. What could be more humiliating?

But Ter-Petrosyan was still "lucky"—he is despised and forgotten, but he is still alive. Unlike Vazgen Sargsyan, who had secreted away his speech from July 23, 1993, and was later shot dead along with the former First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Armenian SSR, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia, Karen Demirchyan, during the terrorist attack on October 27, 1999, in the Armenian parliament. Did the reward find its hero?