David Ovannisyan: Iraqi Armenians are persecuted

David Ovannisyan, Plenipotentiary Ambassador and Associated Professor at the Division of Arabism of the Yerevan State University, has reported in his interview to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that recently the number of threats and kidnappings of Armenians in Iraq has increased.

Father Levon Adamyan, leader of Iraqi Armenians-Catholics, has stated in his interview to the "Azdak" newspaper of the Beirut Armenian community, reprinted by the "Azg" (Nation) newspaper, that the religious-fanatical radicalism aimed not only against Christians but also against Shiites and Sunnites has become more active in Iraq. Christians, being least defended part of the population (other communities have their armed formations), are subject to all kinds of cruelties: kidnappings with the aim to claim ransom, property thefts, murders and threats of exile.

In his article in the "Azg" newspaper entitled "Iraqi Christians in Fatal Situation," Akop Avetikyan noted that persecutions force people, Armenians including, to leave Baghdad. He blames the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia as inactive: "The Iraqi Armenians who wish to emigrate from Iraq need nation-wide support, even all-Armenians efforts to make Armenia attractive for them from the viewpoint of their accommodation and employment in their homeland."