On April 20, hundreds of opposition activists who are critical of former President’s Serzh Sargsyan becoming Prime Minister, have taken to the streets of Yerevan again.
The protesters are aiming at blocking traffic in the city, Radio Liberty reports. Nicol Pashinyan, the leader of the protests, called for continued civil disobedience. In particular, he urged truckers to seal roads.
Meanwhile, the city police keep detaining protesters. On Friday morning, security forces arrested David Sanasaryan, a leader of the movement Oust Serge, and several activists in Republic Square. By 13.00 (local time), 107 people have been taken to Yerevan police departments, News.am reports.
On April 9, the newly elected president Armen Sarkissian dismissed the government. When the presidential term of the previous leader of the country ended, the amended text of the Constitution came into force. According to it, Armenia becomes a parliamentary republic, and power will be concentrated in the hands of a government, not a president. But the ruling coalition’s decision to nominate Serzh Sargsyan, who had already been a two-term president in the period of 2008-2018, as Prime Minister triggered a wave of protests.
“We are bearing witness to a revolutionary situation in Armenia, and now and here, I declare the start of a democratic, non-violent, velvet revolution,” Nicol Pashinyan said after the parliament secured Sargsyan a prime minister position on April, 17.
Although the authorities expressed their readiness to start a political dialogue, the opposition continue to push for a change of government by staging non-violent resistance rallies. Today they are slowly walking along pedestrian crossings – in such a way they are blocking streets without breaking the law. In turn, they are being barred by police or bullied by the so called titushki (hired thugs).
For example, such ‘plainclothes man has attacked journalist and Belsat TV contributor Temine Yenakyan. The video features the journalist showing her torn bag. Then one can see an aggressive woman hitting the camera with her hand.
КА, belsat.eu
