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Zhirair Sefilyan was born in 1967, in Beirut, Lebanon. In 1985 he graduated
from the Gevorg Chatalpashyan National College in Beirut.

During the civil war in Lebanon, Zhirair took part in the defense activities of
the Armenian quarters in Beirut.

In 1990, with the ambition of participating in the Artsakh liberation movement,
Zhirair moved to Armenia with his family. As a military instructor, he was
involved in the formation of self-defense units in Artsakh and Syunik. In 1991,
as a military detachment commander, Zh. Sefilyan took part in the defense of
several districts of Artsakh.

In 1992, one of the first companies of the Artsakh Army was formed on the basis
of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF)/ Dashnakcutiun military units.
Several months later this company developed into the Shushi brigade of the NKR
Army. During the entire duration of the Artsakh war, Zhirair Sefilyan led the
activities of this brigade in Shushi. Divisions of this brigade took part in
liberation activities in all districts of Artsakh, including Shushi, Qashatagh,
Martakert, Askeran, Martuni, Hadrut, Karvajar, Aghdam, and inshore areas of
Araks.

During the Artsakh war, around 1,600 volunteers fought in the Shushi brigade. 56
volunteers perished, around 200 were wounded, 37 were conferred with the First
and Second degree Order of “Martakan Khach” (Fighting Cross), and around 350
were awarded with military medals. Around 65 out of 100 of the Diasporan
Armenians who participated in the liberation movement were recruited as soldiers
of this brigade.

After the war, in 1997-1998 Zh. Sefilyan became the NKR Defense Army brigade
Commander.

Zhirair Sefilyan was awarded with the First Degree Order of “Martakan Khach”
(Fighting Cross), military medals, and other government awards. He is an Army
lieutenant-colonel of the Republic of Armenia.

Since 2001, Zhirair Sefilyan has been coordinating the activities of the public
initiative group, “Liberated territories.” The initiative disagrees with the RA
government, especially their defeatist position in the Nagorno- K?rabagh
conflict settlement, namely its readiness to surrender the liberated
territories.

In 2006 Zhirair Sefilyan established the Araks-Kur Foundation for Resettlement
and Development of Javakhk. The main mission of the Foundation is the settlement
of still inhabited areas in Artsakh and the implementation of programs aimed at
consolidation of Armenians living in Javakhk.

Sefilyan was a member of Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF)/ Dashnakcutiun
party from 1989-1999.

Zhirair Sefilyan has been residing in Armenia with his wife and two sons for 16
years, yet his appeals for Armenian citizenship, made in 2003 and 2006, have
both been rejected.

Sefilyan is in prison since December 9 th 2006...