EXCLUSIVE: Survivor of 1999 Armenian Parliament Shooting Shares Her Story

In an exclusive interview, veteran Armenian journalist Anna Israyelyan shared her vivid memories of the tragic day in 1999 when gunmen stormed Armenia’s Parliament, killing eight people, including Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan and Speaker c. Speaking with Ani Khachatryan from The Armenian Report, Israyelyan described the chaotic and terrifying moments she witnessed firsthand, reflecting on the lasting impact the attack has had on Armenia's political landscape and her own life.

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On October 27, 1999, the Armenian Parliament transformed from a place of governance into a scene of terror. Israyelyan described the initial confusion when gunshots erupted in the hall. “At first, I thought it might be a training exercise,” she said, recalling an earlier drill in the Parliament that involved emergency scenarios and even a staged dead body. “It only took seconds to realize this was real.”

Realizing the severity of the situation, Israyelyan, along with other journalists and Members of Parliament (MPs), instinctively lay down to avoid the gunfire. While looking between the seats, she recognized one of the attackers: Nairi Hunanyan, an acquaintance from her university days. The sight brought a personal, haunting familiarity to the horror she was witnessing.

The deadly attack created mass panic, but in a stunning act of courage, fellow journalist Gohar Sargsyan stood up during the shooting and called out to Nairi Hunanyan. Gohar attempted to negotiate with the attackers, hoping to persuade them to release the journalists and other Parliament staff. Israyelyan expressed her deep admiration for Gohar’s bravery. “You cannot imagine that moment,” she said. “Gohar risked her life to give us a chance to escape.”

Thanks to this courageous intervention, several journalists and staff members were able to leave the Parliament auditorium safely. But even after they escaped, the trauma of the ordeal lingered, and for Israyelyan, the events of that day remain etched in her memory.

During the attack, Israyelyan saw many heartbreaking sights that have stayed with her. One particularly haunting image was of Andranik Manukyan, an MP who had been severely injured. Crawling towards the journalists, he attempted to wave for help, even as he lay gravely wounded. Israyelyan later took refuge with others in the Parliament’s library, where they barricaded themselves using furniture, fearing that more gunmen could still be inside.

Throughout this terrifying ordeal, Israyelyan’s voice recorder continued to document the events as they unfolded. Her recording, which captured the first hour of the attack, later became crucial evidence in the investigation. “Even my short conversation with Nairi, when we were leaving, was used in the case,” she shared, recounting the brief but chilling exchange. When Israyelyan asked him why he committed such a violent act, Hunanyan replied with anger, accusing Armenian leaders of corruption and exploitation over the past decade.

Reflecting on the political impact of the attack, Israyelyan described it as a crisis that shook the nation to its core, with effects that lingered long after the day of the shooting. She believes that the victims, including Sargsyan and Demirchyan, were influential figures who, regardless of criticisms they faced during their lifetimes, became almost sanctified in the public memory after their deaths. "Maybe I even criticized them as a journalist," she noted, "but no one deserves such a death. And anyone who dies like that becomes a martyr.”

The assassination of these political leaders left a void in Armenian politics that, in Israyelyan’s view, impacted the trajectory of the nation, especially in relation to the ongoing conflict of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). She expressed confidence that had Vazgen Sargsyan been alive today, Armenia’s stance on Artsakh would be different. Known for his dedication to defending Armenia and Artsakh, Sargsyan’s leadership, she believes, would have prevented some of the concessions made in the recent peace agreements.

For Israyelyan, the memory of the 1999 Parliament shooting has shaped her perception of violence in politics and public spaces. “Mass shootings have become all too common around the world,” she said. Initially, every loud noise would take her back to that harrowing day, reminding her of the gunpowder smoke and the sounds of gunfire. While time has softened these triggers, the experience solidified her belief that violence and terrorism should never be considered a solution, regardless of the intent behind them.

In Israyelyan’s view, the use of force must be eliminated from politics entirely. While the motivations of political extremists may sometimes stem from genuine frustration, she stressed that violence only serves to harm innocent people and disrupt societies. "It needs to be permanently condemned," she stated firmly, urging that non-violent discourse should replace violent actions in every nation’s political agenda.

Asked to imagine an alternative future, Israyelyan expressed that Vazgen Sargsyan’s survival might have led to a different Armenia, especially concerning Artsakh. Known for his commitment to protecting Armenia’s interests, Sargsyan would not, she believes, have accepted the current state of affairs regarding Artsakh. His strong loyalty to Armenia, she said, might have inspired a stronger national stance, leading to a different outcome.

The legacy of the October 27 attack continues to resonate within Armenian society, shaping the memories and actions of those who lived through it. For Anna Israyelyan, telling the story of that day is both a way to honor those who died and a reminder of the consequences of violence. Through her words, the horrors of that day are kept alive, offering a solemn reflection on the cost of political conflict and the resilience of those who survive it.