On the Ongoing Protest Actions in Yerevan; April 17: to be updated
12:45, April 17, 2018 | News, Own news
As of 4.00 pm Yerevan time
The protesters approached more than a dozen state buildings and blocked their entrances. As reported by the media, the doors of all those institutions are locked; however, there are neither security officers nor police officers there.
The protesters attempted to block several more streets as well as the Victory (Haghtanak) Bridge at the entrance to Yerevan; however, the police officers intervened.
Some protesters who blocked the streets were detained in different parts of the city.
A dozen peaceful protesters who were detained in the morning continue to remain in different police stations. They were detained without any legal grounds and are now kept in police stations for unjustified reasons and in violation of the law.
The police officers hindered the march of the peaceful protesters in Vanadzor. They forcibly removed the protesters from the street, urging them to walk along the sidewalks. Force was also applied when the protesters attempted to block Tigran Mets Avenue, the main avenue in Vanadzor.
Nikol Pashinyan announced that at 6.30 pm an assembly is to be held on Republic Square, the largest square in Yerevan.
At the moment, the special session convened for the election of the RA Prime Minister is in progress at the RA National Assembly.
As of 12.30 pm Yerevan time
The RA National Assembly special session aimed at electing the RA Prime Minister has commenced.
HCA Vanadzor submitted a crime report to the RA General Prosecutor’s Office about detaining the peaceful protesters.
Human rights organizations, including HCA Vanadzor, put forward a statement on the fact that an accumulation of heavily built men was noticed in Yerevan. These men, according to credible information, are criminal groups, which are most likely to be directed towards peaceful protesters.
The human rights defenders stated that the Police shall lead an effective and real fight against organized criminality and prevent any attempt at physical and psychological violence against the peaceful protesters.
Nikol Pashinyan announced that the protesters were intending to cordon off the state institutions through sit-ins.
As of 11.30 am Yerevan time
At 10.20 am Yerevan time, the RA Police released a statement, according to which Nikol Pashinyan ignored the calls of the Police for ceasing the assembly and again urged to continue the assembly, and in this situation the Police are authorized to disperse the assembly by the application of special measures.
The RA Police reported to “Azatutyun” (Freedom) Radio Station that 29 citizens were detained.
The assembly participants alleged that a journalist was subjected to violence by a person in civilian clothing.
At the moment the protesters are holding an assembly at France Square in Yerevan.
Nikol Pashinyan notified that at 12.00 he is going to make a special announcement.
As of 10.00 am Yerevan time
Today, early on the morning of April 17, 2018, more than 20 protesters were detained in different parts of Yerevan.
Nikol Pashinyan once again urged to cordon off the streets leading to the RA National Assembly by all possible means.
The RA Police, in their turn, have deployed police equipment, barbed wires and police forces on the streets leading to the National Assembly and are now controlling them.
The protesters carried out an awareness-raising action and urged to join them.
The police officers attempted to remove the protesters from the other streets of the city; a scuffle broke out between the protesters and the police officers.
The RA National Assembly special session aimed at electing the RA Prime Minister is scheduled for 12.00 today, April 17, 2018.