The Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul upset many Armenians in Turkey and around the world when it failed to send a clergyman to the recently renovated Saint Guiragos Church in Dikranagerd (Diyarbakir) to celebrate Divine Liturgy on Easter Sunday.
By Hakob Poghosyan
Heritage Party member Anahit Bakhshyan has informed Hetq that the police are still holding Heritage Party Vice-President and former MP Arem Martirosyan in the Arabkir police station.
The tense stand-off between protesting citizens and police on Baghramyan Avenue ended when a cordon of cops forcibly pushed Raffi Hovannisian back through the crowd.
With calls of “Hima, Hima” (Now, Now) a throng of a few thousand citizens that had assembled in Freedom Square made their way up Baghramyan Avenue that leads to the Presidential Palace.
Raffi Hovannisian just declared to the crowds at Freedom Square that they were headed to the Presidential Palace at 26 Baghramyan Avenue.
Police Forcibly Remove Young Activists Near Presidential Palace
This afternoon, despite what many were anticipating, Raffi Hovanissian did not give his oath to the presidency before the Armenian public. Instead, he recited a pledge that the crowd of Barevolution supporters, copies of the constitution in hand, repeated, verse by verse. The rhetoric of his speech was the same–power to the people, the country belongs to the people, the people will all be victorious, the corrupt, dishonest leaders of Armenia will...
Yesterday the police of the Republic of Armenia had an announcement warning about the necessity to strictly adhere to the limitations of the authorized body during today's march. Despite of it, a number of participants of the assembly have partly violated the march route, thus allowing themselves anti legal actions.
Jebejyan says that a clash took place between young activists and the police, who had cordoned off the street leading to the Presidential Palace.
“I was very sad to hear the news of the death of Lady Thatcher this morning. She was a remarkable woman who inspired people throughout the world with her courage and determination. She will be particularly remembered in Armenia for her visit in 1990 when she opened the Lord Byron School in Gyumri in the aftermath of the devastating 1988 earthquake. Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time”.
Serzh Sargsyan, after having been inaugurated as the next “official" president, accepted the resignation of the government.
The Pre-Parliament Initiative in Armenia has stated that the police have detained two of its members, Yeghia Nersisyan and Vardges Petrosyan.
Striking Students Marching towards Liberty Square
Writer, actor
As Serzh Sargsyan was taking the oath of office, with the blessing of Catholicos Garegin II, Raffi Hovannisian was demanding that the two come down to Liberty Square later on and apologize to the people.
The leader of the Heritage Party declared that in Freedom Square, as opposed to the official inauguration at the Garen Demirchyan Sports-Concert Complex, there are no lies, no deceit, no 30 pieces of silver and no blasphemous oaths taken on the Holy Bible.
With prayer and appeals for the radiant life of the homeland on our lips, we greet and extend our Pontifical blessings to you on the occasion of the inauguration of the President of the Republic of Armenia.
Thousands in Freedom Square say "no" to inauguration of Serzh Sargsyan
Scenes from Freedom Square - April 9, 2013
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