Artsakh authorities fear facing serious competition in case of my participation in 2020 elections: Artsakh ex-DM

Former defense minister of Artsakh Samvel Babayan speaking to reporters today and referring to his participation in 2020 Artsakh presidential elections said that currently he conducts meetings, tries to understand the peoples position.

“I want to understand whether they will accept me or not, afterwards a signature gathering will take place to understand whether I can participate in the elections or not,” Babayan said at news conference today.

He said it will not be right to speak about the contenders now. “There is still a year ahead, many things may change,” Babayan said.

The ex-minister referred to the position of Artsakh authorities that he has issue of citizenship and cannot participate in the elections.

“In 2007 when I participated in the elections in Armenia I did not have asylum for 5 years. In such case Armenia too should not have allowed me. We are one country and are trying to make this people understand the unacceptability of using the law selectively. It should be equal for all,” he said, adding that Bako Sahakyan came in 1999 from Moscow and in 2007 became Artsakh’s president.

“He was visiting Artsakh from time to time to bring some documents. You know that I was going to Karabakh from time to time too,” he said.

Babayan stressed the authorities are creating impediments for him being afraid of serious competition in case of his participation.

“If someone comes to Yerevan from Karabakh and participates in the elections here, no one says you are not a citizen, a question rises why those who go there from Yerevan is told you are not a citizen. So, we will go there and overcome all the barriers,” Babayan said.