Varuzhan Karapetyan Armenian terrorist Country: Armenia

Varuzhan Karapetyan: A Biography

Varuzhan Karapetyan, an Armenian terrorist and leader of the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA), gained notoriety for his involvement in various acts of terrorism. While some terrorist acts are executed with precision, causing harm only to their intended targets, more often than not, innocent people suffer as a result. Mass attacks, especially bombings, affect everyone in the vicinity, regardless of their connection to the specific political or racial conflicts. One such incident occurred on July 15, 1983, at Orly Airport in France. The explosion was intended to destroy a Turkish flight, as Armenians and Turks had a history of strained relations. However, due to a mix-up, Icelandic passengers were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The bomb, accompanied by the detonation of gas cylinders, claimed many lives, including Jacqueline Kirschner, a French woman, and her 19-year-old son, who died instantly and succumbed to burns, respectively. Karapetyan, along with his accomplices, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the attack, which was deemed unwarranted in the fight for independence.

According to Karapetyan himself, the Orly attack was meant to be a response to the execution of Levon Ekmekdjian, one of the perpetrators of a terrorist act at Esenboğa International Airport in Turkey. Ekmekdjian and his partner first detonated a bomb in a nearly full waiting area before opening fire on passengers and airport staff. Karapetyan explained how he managed to bring a bomb into the airport; he convinced a passenger to check an extra suitcase on his behalf. He claimed the bomb was supposed to explode after the plane took off. Eventually, Armenia gained its desired independence. President Robert Kocharyan personally advocated for Karapetyan's transfer to Armenia. On May 4, 2001, Karapetyan was handed over to Armenia. Officially, he was to serve the remainder of his prison sentence in Armenia, but in reality, he was set free upon his arrival. Karapetyan was welcomed with honors, received by the country's prime minister, Andranik Margaryan. He was promised a job and housing in Yerevan, with no mention of imprisonment. It is worth noting that not all Armenians celebrated Karapetyan's return, as several prominent Armenian human rights activists expressed strong disapproval of the honors bestowed upon the terrorist.

Currently, Varuzhan Karapetyan resides in Dilijan, Armenia. Rumor has it that he built his own house with his own hands.