Arthur Sargsyan
Arthur Sargsyan, was an Armenian handcraft master, Nagorno-Karabakh War veteran. He is known in Armenia as a man who brought food to the members of Sasna Tsrer armed group during the 2016 Yerevan hostage crisis. While doing it he rushed through the line of policemen, putting his life at risk. He was arrested after the events and has been on hunger strike for 25 days. After that he died while being treated at the Armenia Medical Center. He is seen by many as a symbol of resistance to the Armenian ruling regime's heavy-handed response to popular protests.
He finished the National Polytechnic University of Armenia. During the Karabakh war he also brought meals to the front line and was wounded.
Sargsyan's death escalated protests in Yerevan. Armenian ombudsman demanded maximum transparency in the criminal investigation. Supporters of Arthur Sargsyan organized marches in Yerevan. He was nominated for the annual Aurora Prize.
