On the Developments Taking Place in Yerevan and Other Cities in Armenia; April 19
11:31, April 19, 2018 | News, Own newsAs of 6.00 pm Yerevan time
Protesters headed for the Government building, where the Government session led by Serzh Sargsyan had already commenced.
The police had concentrated massive forces in front of the Government building. Despite that, protesters did not attempt to enter the building and continued the “Hoot if you’re against Serzh” action that had been initiated in the morning. That was the call directed at the drivers driving along the Republic Square and the adjacent streets.
At the moment, the peaceful protest is continuing.
As of 4.00 pm Yerevan time
As reported by the RA Ministry of Healthcare, 2 more citizens injured due to the police actions on Yerevan’s Baghramyan Avenue on April 16, 2018 continue to receive medical assistance.
Journalist Tirayr Muradyan, who was beaten up by persons in civilian clothing this morning, April 19, is also receiving medical assistance at “Saint Gregory the Illuminator” Medical Center in Yerevan.
The RA Human Rights Defender released a statement, according to which some detained persons, including minors, were released.
Head of the Police Department of Public Relations and Information Ashot Aharonyan reported to iravaban.net that there were 122 detained persons as of 3.00 pm.
As of 2.00 pm Yerevan time
The RA Human Rights Defender condemned the case of violence against Tirayr Muradyan and underlined that any incident of obsrtuction of a journalist’s professional activity shall be immediately prevented, and those obstructing it shall be subject to strict measures of liability.
Protesters blocked Isakov Avenue from both sides in response to the police detaining a number of marchers.
The RA Police reported to “Azatutyun” (Freedom) Radio Station that the number of detained persons reached 100 as of 1.30 pm.
The march is continuing.
As of 1.00 pm Yerevan time
Protesters continue their march along the streets of Yerevan, calling to “hoot if you’re against Serzh.”
Protest participants reported that one of the red berets broke a female protester’s nose while removing protesters from the territory adjacent to the Government building.
In another section of the area, police officers hit and threw a woman down onto the ground; just before this, the woman had attempted to prevent a young person not participating in the protest from being detained.
The RA Police reported to news.am that the number of detained persons reached 30 as of 12.20.
The RA Police put forward another statement, where they assessed protesters’ actions as unlawful and mentioned that in the situation created police officers have to take administrative measures against offenders for disobeying their legitimate demands.
Nikol Pashinyan announced that a rally is going to be held again at 7.00 pm at the Republic Square in Yerevan.
As of 11.30 pm Yerevan time
Two persons in civilian clothing beat up Tirayr Muradyan, journalist at armrus.info, near the Government building.
As reported by the journalist, those beating him were police officers in civilian clothing. First, these persons requested him not to film them. None of the police officers in the territory intervened and prevented it.
The RA General Prosecutor’s Office informed that the publications on this case were sent to the RA Investigative Committee.
Protesters decided to carry out an awareness-raising action in shopping centers in Yerevan; however, the police hindered their entry.
As of 10.30 am Yerevan time
The first session of the RA Government is scheduled for today, April 19, 2018. It is to be led by Serzh Sargsyan.
According to some information, the Government session is set to take place at 5.00 pm Yerevan time.
Early in the morning, protesters decided to block the Government building and, as announced by Nikol Pashinyan, “to enable Government employees not to go to work.”
When protesters commenced their actions, the police concentrated massive forces and tried to forcibly remove protesters from the territory.
Some protesters were detained. The Police reported that the number of detained persons was 20.
The RA Police announced that public administration buildings are guarded facilities, the security of which is ensured by law enforcement officers, and it is their duty to guard the facilities, using even special means as well as weapons when confronting attacks or threats of attacks.