Armenia violence likely to reoccur as neither side backing down
(AssA-Irada, June 17) - New bloodshed seems likely in Armenia as
the government appears to be poised for civil stand-off. The
authorities have cited a slew of pretexts to block former president
and opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian's plans to stage a
protest on the Freedom Square in central Yerevan on Friday.
The opposition's pleas filed against the mayor's office to the judiciary bodies have yielded no results. The city court has issued a ruling saying the executive authorities' decision to ban the protest was substantiated as an exhibition will be held on the square on that day. Instead, a stadium was offered as a venue for the protest. But the opposition is keen on holding the rally with the participation of several thousand people despite the ban. Its key demands remain the same - to hold snap presidential and parliamentary elections, free political prisoners and hold accountable those responsible for the March violence.
Armenia's February 19 presidential election was followed by mass protests which were put down with the use of force. The opposition had refused to recognize the results of the election won by Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian, charging vote rigging and taking to the streets. 28 people were reported killed and hundreds were injured during the demonstrations on March 1.
The Armenian government maintains that no disturbances are in store at the upcoming rally. President Sarkisian has told reporters that the rally will be low-key. "I see no threats posed at the opposition rally. Public protests have taken place in our country in the past, and I will defend citizens' right to air their grievances," Sarkisian said.
He added, however, that if the law is violated at the protest, the police will not be responsible for the consequences.
The opposition's pleas filed against the mayor's office to the judiciary bodies have yielded no results. The city court has issued a ruling saying the executive authorities' decision to ban the protest was substantiated as an exhibition will be held on the square on that day. Instead, a stadium was offered as a venue for the protest. But the opposition is keen on holding the rally with the participation of several thousand people despite the ban. Its key demands remain the same - to hold snap presidential and parliamentary elections, free political prisoners and hold accountable those responsible for the March violence.
Armenia's February 19 presidential election was followed by mass protests which were put down with the use of force. The opposition had refused to recognize the results of the election won by Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian, charging vote rigging and taking to the streets. 28 people were reported killed and hundreds were injured during the demonstrations on March 1.
The Armenian government maintains that no disturbances are in store at the upcoming rally. President Sarkisian has told reporters that the rally will be low-key. "I see no threats posed at the opposition rally. Public protests have taken place in our country in the past, and I will defend citizens' right to air their grievances," Sarkisian said.
He added, however, that if the law is violated at the protest, the police will not be responsible for the consequences.
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