Sasna Tsrer party co-founder Zhirayr Sefilyan not to participate in elections for not having citizenship: party’s spokesperson

Application on granting citizenship to commander of Shushi separate battalion, co-founder of Sasna Tsrer party Zhirayr Sefilyan backdated has been rejected, party’s spokesperson Vahagn Avagyan told Aysor.am.

“The explanation says it is impossible to get citizenship backdated, for it, it is necessary to apply to court,” the spokesperson said, adding that Sefilyan has no problem of getting citizenship with the current date.

“We have not received the official response yet, but acting justice minister Artak Zeynalyan recently stated that the ministry gave positive answer to the proposal on granting citizenship to Sefilyan,” Avagyan said.

Zeynalyan stated about it on November 10 after Republic and Free Democrats parties signed memorandum on founding We bloc.

Avagyan said the process has not been completed yet and as of the moment Sefilyan is not citizen of Armenia, adding that for 30 years Sefilyan was not granted citizenship illegally.

Not having citizenship Sefilyan cannot participate in snap parliamentary elections in December and his name cannot be included in the list of Sasna Tsrer party.

The spokesperson did not reveal the names included in the list, but it has been reported earlier that it will be topped by Varuzhan Avetisyan followed by political analyst Stepan Grigoryan.

Avagyan said Sefilyan will support his friends by participating in the party’s election campaign.