In a lengthy statement addressed to the police, Mashtots Park activists have called on the cops to stay away and not prevent them from peacefully protesting against what they describe as the unlawful construction.

The protestors say they have every right to defend their public property as citizens, and that those found interfering with the execution of this right may be taken to court.

They argue that the police are in fact breaking the very laws they are pledged to uphold, given that the construction flouts the RA Constitution and other civil codes.

Yesterday, the RA Police issued a statement claiming that it had no jurisdiction to question the legality of the municipality’s construction permit and that the right of citizens to assemble could not be upheld when it came to preventing permitted construction.

In their rebuttal to the police, protestors argue that the Yerevan Municipality has flouted the Aarhus Convention which grants the public rights regarding access to information, public participation and access to justice, in governmental decision-making processes on matters concerning the local, national and trans-boundary environment.

Armenia is a signatory to this international convention. 

Activists are demanding that the stores be demolished and have given the Yerevan Municipality until March 16 to issue an order to this effect.