Pashinyan to Armenian separatists: “Why didn’t you die?”

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said his remark “Why didn’t you die?” was directed not at the Armenian people, but at the “pseudo-elite” of the Karabakh Armenians.

Speaking at a press conference, Pashinyan said the statement referred to individuals who portray themselves as representatives of institutions linked to the now-defunct separatist junta, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

“The leader of Armenia did not ask the Armenian people, ‘Why didn’t you die in the war?’ The leader of Armenia asked representatives of the Karabakh pseudo-elite, ‘Why didn’t you die?’” Pashinyan said.

The Armenian prime minister accused members of the Karabakh separatists of failing to participate in military operations during the conflict.

“Did those who call themselves members of the Karabakh parliament, who call themselves representatives of various sectors of Karabakh, go to the border and fire their weapons? Not only did they not fire their weapons, but when I say ‘deserters,’ I mean precisely them,” he stated.

Pashinyan also said those figures should explain their conduct during the war.

“What were they doing, sitting at home? Who went to stand and fight alongside the soldiers? Some of them fled, leaving our soldiers alone. They must provide an explanation, starting with Samvel Shahramanyan and ending with the rest,” he said.

The controversy stems from an exchange that took place on May 15 in the Arabkir district of Yerevan, where Pashinyan used the phrase “Why didn’t you die?” during an argument with separatist figure Artur Osipyan.

By Sabina Mammadli