Anna Hakobyan Confronted by Protesters at Tsitsernakaberd on April 24

On the solemn occasion of the 109th Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Anna Hakobyan, the wife of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, visited the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial Complex alongside her youngest daughter. The visit, which took place on April 24, was a moment of remembrance and reflection for many Armenians.

However, it was met with a mixture of emotions from the gathered citizens.

Accompanied by a substantial security detail, Anna Hakobyan approached the eternal flame at the memorial complex. As she neared the flame, a chorus of voices from the crowd erupted into chants of "Nikol the traitor," "Nikol the landowner," "Nikol the Genocide," and "Nikol the Turk." These chants reflected the deep-seated divisions and frustrations within Armenian society regarding the leadership of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Despite the chants and the tense atmosphere, Anna Hakobyan remained composed, with a smile on her face. Surrounded by her security detail and police officers, she held flowers in her hand, a symbol of respect and remembrance for the victims of the Armenian Genocide. However, due to the intensity of the situation, she initially struggled to approach the eternal flame and lay the flowers.

Eventually, with the assistance of her bodyguards, a brief corridor was cleared, allowing Anna Hakobyan to place the flowers near the memorial. Quickly completing this gesture of homage, she departed from the scene, once again flanked by her security detail. Throughout the encounter, she chose not to engage with the journalists present, remaining silent in the face of their inquiries.

The incident at the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial Complex shows the emotions and tensions surrounding the current affairs in the Republic. It also reflects the broader political divisions and dissatisfaction within Armenian society, with citizens expressing their grievances even in moments of solemn remembrance.