“Hey! Are you taking this photo to publish it either in “Armenian Times” or “168 Hours” newspapers? What do you write in your papers about me? What are you doing? Aren’t you afraid? Who’s provoking me? Whoever does that, I will beat him, damn it!” This is how the RA police board deputy head, Hovhannes Varyan, threatened our correspondent by approaching her during the festivities dedicated to policemen’s day.
Let’s recall that “168 Hours” found out about the “great love” that Mr. Varyan has for journalists back during the incidents of April, 2004.
He was just sad to see that journalists, other people and some bodyguards of the president were not happy to see him like that. The most interesting thing is that President Kocharyan ranked him general-lieutenant for his good work and made everyone understand how ranks are “earned”.
This is the only way how they can get titles from the authorities and sometimes shake their hands and stand close to them. Later we reminded Mr. Varyan that “168 Hours” newspaper had never started anything with him or provoked him and never was going to that either. We are fed up with establishing contacts with him during each rally.