Jirair Sefilian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jirair Sefilian
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Sefilian in 2020
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| Native name |
Ժիրայր Սէֆիլեան
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| Born | 10 July 1967 Beirut, Lebanon |
| Allegiance |  Armenia Republic of Artsakh |
| Service/ |
Armed Forces of Armenia |
| Years of service | 1983–1998 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Commands held | Shushi Military Company NKR Defense Army Brigade |
| Battles/wars |
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Jirair Simoni Sefilian (born July 10, 1967) is an Armenian military leader and activist. He was born in Lebanon. During the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, he led a special military group called Shushi. This group played a big part in the Battle of Shusha.
From 1997 to 1998, Sefilian was a Brigade Commander in the Artsakh Defence Army. He has always spoken out against giving up land to Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh. He also opposes too much Russian influence in Armenia. Today, Sefilian is a key member of the Sasna Tsrer Pan-Armenian Party and the National Democratic Pole.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Jirair Sefilian finished college in Beirut in 1986. From 1983 to 1990, he helped defend Armenian areas of Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War. This included places like Bourj Hammoud.
In 1990, Sefilian moved to Armenia with his family. He wanted to join the Karabakh movement. He became a military instructor. He helped create self-defense groups in Karabakh and Syunik. In 1991, he led a military group. They defended several areas of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Role in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War
In 1992, Sefilian was chosen to lead the Shushi special military company. This group was very important during the Battle of Shusha. He also fought in other battles. These included the Capture of Aghdam, the Battle of Kalbajar, and the Mardakert and Martuni Offensives.
After the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, Sefilian went back to Lebanon. He could not return to Armenia until 1997. From 1997 to 1998, he was a Brigade Commander in the Artsakh Defense Army. He received the First Degree Order of the Combat Cross. This is a high military award. He holds the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the Armenian Army.
In 2001, Sefilian started helping to lead a group called the "Liberated Territories Defense Committee." This group worked to protect certain areas.
Facing Legal Challenges
In 2006, Sefilian and another leader, Vartan Malkhasian, faced legal issues. Some human rights groups said these issues were politically motivated. They believed it was a way to silence those who disagreed with the government. Armenia's Ombudsman, Armen Harutyunyan, also said that Sefilian and his friends had not broken the law.
A journalist named Tsvetana Paskaleva spoke highly of Sefilian. She said he was "one of the living icons" she knew.
Periods of Detention
Jirair Sefilian has been detained multiple times. These detentions often related to his political activities.
First Detention Period
On August 6, 2007, a court found Sefilian not guilty of making anti-government statements. However, he was found responsible for having a weapon without permission. He was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison.
Sefilian said he was innocent. He believed the court case was unfair and ordered by the government. He urged people not to be afraid of the government.
In 2012, the European Court of Human Rights ruled against Armenian authorities. The court said Sefilian was held before his trial without good legal reasons. They also found that his phone calls were illegally listened to.
In 2015, Sefilian and others were stopped from entering the Republic of Artsakh. Police attacked their group of cars. Many people, including Sefilian, were hurt. The Artsakh president ordered an investigation into the event.
Second Detention Period
On April 8, 2015, Armenian authorities detained leaders of the Founding Parliament group. This group planned protests. The government said they stopped plans for large public disturbances. Sefilian's home was searched.
Several human rights groups in Armenia called these leaders "political prisoners." They said the leaders were detained for their beliefs, not for any actions. Sefilian and others were later released in May 2015. They promised not to leave the country.
In June 2015, Sefilian's group said unknown people were following him. They asked law enforcement to find out who these people were.
Third Detention Period
On June 20, 2016, Jirair Sefilian was detained again. Authorities said he and others planned to take over buildings. These included the Yerevan TV tower.
A member of his group said Sefilian was detained because he planned to speak out. He was against Armenia giving up land to Azerbaijan.
On July 17, 2016, an armed group close to Sefilian attacked a police station in Yerevan. They took hostages. This group, called Sasna Tsrer, demanded Sefilian's release. They also wanted President Serzh Sargsyan to resign. Three policemen died during this event.
On August 8, 2016, Sefilian sent a letter from prison. He again called for the president to resign. He also asked for new elections.
Sefilian was released from prison on June 13, 2018. This happened shortly after the 2018 Armenian revolution.
Citizenship Status
After his 18-month sentence ended in 2008, Sefilian was released. He faced the risk of being sent out of Armenia. He then tried to get political asylum and citizenship in the Republic of Artsakh. In 2018, Sefilian was granted Armenian citizenship.
Political Beliefs and Actions
Jirair Sefilian has strong political views. He often shares them through letters and statements.
Views on Armenian Politics
From prison, Sefilian supported former Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosyan. However, in 2009, he criticized Ter-Petrosyan's ideas. These ideas were about Armenia's relationships with Azerbaijan and Turkey. Sefilian suggested Ter-Petrosyan should step back from public movements.
In 2008, Sefilian helped start the Miatsum (Unification) National Initiative. This group works against giving up Armenian land to Azerbaijan.
In 2009, he co-founded the Sardarapat Movement. Sefilian also leads the Founding Parliament opposition group.
In 2013, Sefilian said that Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan had small roles in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. He also accused them of corruption. In 2015, he helped create the New Armenia Public Salvation Front. This group aimed to stop Serzh Sargsyan's plans for constitutional changes.
Views on International Relations
Sefilian and his allies often speak out against Russia's influence in Armenia. They do not support Armenia being part of Russian-led groups. These include the Eurasian Economic Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Instead, he wants Armenia to have closer ties with the United States and other Western countries.
In September 2018, Sefilian helped create the Sasna Tsrer Pan-Armenian Party. This party includes people who were part of the 2016 Yerevan hostage crisis. At first, Sefilian wanted to work with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. But over time, he and Sasna Tsrer became more critical of Pashinyan's government.
In May 2020, Sefilian signed a statement. It called for new elections and a new government. This led to the creation of the National Democratic Pole. This is a political group that includes Sasna Tsrer.
After Armenia's defeat in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, Sefilian called for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign. He joined protests held by the National Democratic Pole. He has also called for Armenia to get ready for a new war. He believes this war would help Armenia get back lost lands and gain new ones from Azerbaijan.
Awards
| Country | Award | Date | |
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| Armenia |
Order of the Combat Cross of the First Degree | ||
