Serj Tankian
Singer, Musician, Political Activist
Member of the Civilitas Foundation Honorary Board
Los Angeles, California, US
October 1, 2012

The persecution of Vartan Oskanian, former foreign minister of Armenia, is clearly politically motivated.

The funds from Jon Huntsman Sr were donated to Civilitas via Oskanian in early 2011.
Yet the proceedings against Mr. Oskanian were brought on only after he re-entered politics in Armenia this year.

Civilitas, the non-profit organization started by Mr. Oskanian, has done amazing work in Armenia, as well as diplomatically abroad, for Armenia.

It is extremely important for a developing democracy to shun the monopolization of media, industries, and political offices.

It is also very important for Armenian citizens to be able to express their choices and grievances by voting in free and fair elections, monitored by reputable international polling organizations.

For centuries we have been controlled by one foreign entity or another. Although we have allegiances, allies, and the need for aid as a nation, our democracy and economy should not be victimized by influences from the West (U.S. mainly), nor Russia.

We must collectively rise out of this short sighted Soviet-era need to control industries and politics to allow our countrymen the freedom of expression earned over centuries of struggle.