Head of the” National Independence Movement”, who applied for political asylum in Azerbaijan Vahan Martirosyan gave an interview to ANS TV. AzVision.az presents the very interview:

- Let’s talk openly. Put aside all propagation stuff. Let’s talk as two mates meeting after long years. I wonder what is the situation in Armenia? Is the situation really so harsh there? I need concrete facts. For instance, could you tell me the price for bread in Armenia?

Bread costs approximately one dollar. Prices for bread, sugar and all other consumer goods go up periodically each two or three months, if not every month.

- How much does one kilogram of meat costs in Armenia?

One kilogram of meat costs about 10 dollars. My granny gets 100 dollars as her monthly retirement allowance, though she served in various crucial governmental positions during Soviet times . However, all neighbors deem her as an oligarch. In reality, retirement allowance is not enough to cover communal and other daily expenses. I remembered my granny because she is able to buy meat once or twice, if lucky, in one month. Coming up to the average salary in the country, I definitely can say, if people relied on monthly wages they would merely die within several days. Migrant working in Russia, their relatives transfer their families in Armenia certain amount of money each month. It is a case in all Armenian families. At least one in each family is a commuter in Russia.

- Anyway, as I understood, nobody is starving or literally dying in the street. More or less everyone is able to maintain itself.

-I would not say. They feel financial shortage and have to carry this burden. There is a story called “Bread problem”. So, 90 per cent of Armenian families face this “bread problem”. Thus if we go into depth, we could say people are starving. General situation in Armenia should not be assessed based on the data collected only from Yerevan and its surroundings. If to go out of the capital just for 100 meters, one can find himself in Kafka’s stories. There yes, people are literally starving and living in complete poverty. For instance, in Levikian only one dweller could be observed in every fifth house. That are not conditions humans should live in the XXI century. They sell out all their properties to buy consumer goods.

- What is the average salary in Armenia?

About 100, maximum 150 dollars.

- Now you are in Azerbaijan and accordingly, you are definitely not declared as a hero in Armenia. As you already know, your mother was hit by car and hospitalized. Moreover, all bank accounts of another relative of yours was annulled. In fact, your relatives and friends fall under financial blockade. Do the benefits of your migration to Azerbaijan buy out all these costs? You came here leaving your relatives there. Now, what is your mission?

We have a common problem with Azerbaijani nation. It is Sarkisyan’s criminal regime. There is no xenophobia or chauvinism among Armenian population. I have not seen it here, in Azerbaijan as well. Thus, the only problem is Sarkisyan’s regime. This problem reflects on Nagorno Karabakh conflict . Ordinary citizens suffer from the regime, while some people make profit out of those citizens. You would hardly find an average Armenian, frankly claiming Nagorno Karabakh made him/her better off. The goal of my migration to Azerbaijan pursues a goal to fight against Armenian regime , to change the system in Armenia.

- Let’s imagine that you achieved your goal. The regime was overturned. Do you really think that, Armenian population will be thankful to you? Would you dare to return to Armenia?

Yes, I do believe that I can. My nation always support me. As cited to Shahraz Navush, blackmailed by Armenian regime `my nation suffers from “white genocide”.

-You say citizens leave Armenia for different countries. What is the main reason?

Our president or illegal president Serj Sargsyan, the Prime Minister and the minister of Economy regularly talks about fantastic figures on economic growth. I don’t know exactly what kind of drug they use, but it seems its effect is very strong. In fact, the state on the edge of default. People are starving. Almost all of the state agencies have been swamped with total corruption.

- You came to Baku and of course some international organizations had to interested in you. As, it is unusual to see an Armenian in Azerbaijan, making political statements. Have you held meetings with any international organizations?

Yes. Unfortunately, They seem they are not interested in any peaceful initiatives. They asked if I have been under pressure in Azerbaijan.

-Let’s talk about Nagorno-Karabakh. Some reliable sources claim that, soldiers serve reluctantly in army. What can you say about it?

- No any soldier from Nagorno Karabakh serves there. It is the illusion of the Defense Ministry of Armenia.

-But how did they appear there?

- Mostly, soldiers from the vulnerable families have been sent to border regions. Because those families can`t find 1500 $ to prevent their sons from military service.

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