In a letter written to Pavlik Manukyan, one of the Sasna Dzrer group members that had seized a Yerevan police building on July 17 and surrendered to police this past Sunday, Jirayr Sefilian, who had already been arrested on weapons charges, says that the armed group took the right decision by laying down their arms on July 31.

The letter was published by the opposition Founding Parliament, of which Sefilian is a member.

“By your actions”, writes Sefilian, “you proved that Armenians are not afraid of death or jail and that our nation is immortal.”

Sefilian writes that sooner or later the people in Armenia will revolt.

 “Dear Pavlik, as you see, we cannot decide everything. If you are still alive, it is due to the will of god. It means that you still have things to do, for Armenia and for your family. As a brother, I ask that you end your hunger strike and assist the physicians to get back on your feet as soon as possible,” Sefilian writes.

Pavlik Manukyan and his son Aram were both wounded in the two-week standoff with police. They were taken to hospital for treatment. Pavlik’s wounds are serious and Aram’s condition is stable. Pavlik then announced he’d be going on hunger strike.

Top photo: Jirayr Sefilian