Main points of this evening’s mass rally in Yerevan
This evening’s rally in Yerevan’s Republic Square, the heart of the Armenia capital saw huge crowds voice their opposition to Serzh Sargsyan and his ruling Republican Party of Armenia.
Of the 123 people detained by police in Yerevan today as of 6pm, 85 have been released, after receiving summonses, and the other 38 face various criminal charges.
While the Supreme Council says that civil disobedience is an important pillar of democracy and development, it also claims that the opposition is taking Armenia to confrontation that can only splinter its national potential.
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The “My Step” and “Reject Serzh” initiatives released a statement today describing police charges that rally organizers are somehow instigating illegal actions as ludicrous and false.
The protesters started their march this morning at Government Building #3, and then proceeded along Arshakunyats Avenue, Shenkavit, and Isakov.
In Armenia, these "detentions" are legally described as “administrative arrests”, when various municipal codes are violated. In most cases, police can only hold people for no more than three hours. Those not released by this deadline are then detained for further questioning and possibly face criminal charges.
Police are using cars with private license plates, or no plates at all, to transport detained protesters to Yerevan’s Kanaker Police Station.
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“This has become a popular celebration, not a revolution,” Pasinyan declared.
This morning, Police used force and detained dozens of demonstrators, opposed to the election of Serzh Sargsyan as Armenia’s new prime minister.
Tirayr Muradyan, a reporter for the Informed Citizens’ Coalition NGO, has been hospitalized after being attacked by several people in civilian dress while taking photos outside Government Building #3.
Police forcibly dispersed protesters who had taken up positions outside Government Building #3, near the Republic metro station, detaining scores in the process.
Previous experiences of mass demonstrations and protests in Armenia could provide a window as to how the latest “Reject Serzh” protests might end. While the protesters might increase in number in the coming days, the regime will not hesitate to wait for the right moment to use limited force and dismantle the barricades and disperse the demonstrators. It is often said that demonstrators learn from their previous experiences but that is...
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Republic Square have marched on Government Building #3, located near the metro station.
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