12 April 2018, 19:32
Opposition treats Yerevan action as rehearsal of mass protests
Today, at about 6:00 p.m., six activists of the movement "Reject Serzh!" tried to set up a tent near the Opera Theatre in central Yerevan. Policemen have interfered and took away the tent, after which the protesters have partially blocked the traffic, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.
For a short time, policemen were watching the developments, and then forced the activists off the roadway of Mashtots Avenue, and unlocked the traffic. They put five activists into a police car, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has reported.
On April 9, the inauguration of Armen Sargsyan as the new President of Armenia was held; and the presidential powers of Serzh Sargsyan terminated. On April 17, the Parliament will elect the Prime Minister, who, in accordance with the recent constitutional reform, will be the first person of the state.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that a joint rally of the Front "For the State of Armenia" and the initiative group "Reject Serzh" in Freedom Square in Yerevan, held in the evening on April 9, gathered about 500 people, who demanded not to allow Serzh Sargsyan, the former President, to the post of the Prime Minister.
Tigran Mazmanyan, an activist of the "Reject Serzh!" movement, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that it was crucial for the police today not to allow setting up a tent, since they are afraid of this scenario.
According to his story, activists intend to return the confiscated tent and later set up a lot of tents in Freedom Square.
People must go out and take all measures to prevent the preservation of power in Serzh Sargsyan's hands, Maria Karapetyan, another activist of the movement, has explained. Protest actions can inspire many; therefore any inaction is unacceptable, she believes.
Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.
Author: Tigran Petrosyan, Armine Martirosyan Source: CK correspondents
