04 June 2022, 14:31
Eleven activists detained after protest in Armenia
Law enforcers have detained activists at the protest action held near governmental dachas in Yerevan; policemen claim that they disobeyed law enforcers and attacked them, the Armenian Police assert. In its turn, the opposition accused authorities of provocation.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 3, during clashes with the police, 42 people received traumas; later the number of victims went up to 50.
A source from the Armenian Police has stated that activists had ignored the policemen's lawful demands, and threw bottles and stones at them.
Meanwhile, supporters of the protest movement have accused Nikol Pashinyan, the Premier, "of trying to shed people's blood."
Ishkhan Sagatelyan, a Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly (Parliament) of Armenia, said that authorities resorted to provocation because they saw that the movement continues gaining momentum for 35 days in a row.
According to Mr Sagatelyan, authorities are trying to intimidate supporters of the opposition.
Pashinyan's nerves gave out and he decided to resort to violent actions, Gegam Manukyan, an MP from the "Aiastan" parliamentary faction, believes. He has noted that more and more citizens join protests every day.
Stun grenades have put an end to Pashinyan's political future, Gegam Nazaryan, another MP from the "Aiastan" faction, has stated. According to his story, after that, Pashinyan can no longer be the Armenian leader.
Policemen have used disproportionate force against peaceful demonstrators, Ervand Varosyan, a lawyer, has stated. Some 10-15 policemen attacked individual activists and severely beaten them up, he wrote on the Facebook*.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 4, 2022 at 02:10 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Armine Martirosyan, Tigran Petrosyan Source: CK correspondents
