A Petition to End Violence in Armenia (via Blogian)
We, people who care about Armenia and democracy, are calling on Armenia’s authorities to immediately end violence against presidential election protesters in Yerevan.
via Blogrel - (AFP reports) The OSCE said Sunday it had sent a mediator to Armenia, where eight people have been killed [Unzipped - CNN reports 9 have been killed] in protests against the alleged rigging of a presidential election, and appealed for both sides to show restraint.Finnish diplomat Heikki Talvitie was to arrive in the Armenian capital on Sunday, the Organisation for Security and ooperation in Europe presidency said in a statement. “I have sent my special envoy to try to bring both sides to the negotiating table and to find a way out of this crisis through political dialogue,” Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva said in the statement. Finland currently holds the OSCE presidency.
Tanks can be seen here and there in central Yerevan, especially around Baghramyan st, Republic sq and some governmental buildings. Many police forces and to lesser extent soldiers.
There are unconfirmed reports that people are gathering here and there to discuss the situation. General mood, as described by some Yerevan residents, is that of anger towards ruling regime and their impossibility to remain in power after what they've done by violently dispersing peaceful protesters in Liberty sq and imposing a state of emergency. Many people who would otherwise be considered as fierce critics of Levon Ter-Petrosyan, now realised that it is not a matter of Levon, it is a struggle of people for their rights and for changes in Armenia. ***
Levon Ter-Petrosyan campaign team issued a statement condemning ruling regime for infiltrating "agent provocateurs" to conduct lootings and other provocations to 'justify' their use of force against demonstrators. Ter-Petrosyan campaign team call it "terror against people" and put all responsibility on Armenian authorities, and personally incumbent president Robert Kocharyan and prime minister Serj Sargsyan. ***
CNN now reports, based on official sources, that clashes between protesters and police have killed at least 9 people (8 civillians and 1 police officer). Various reports indicate that there are many injured among civillians, however no one can provide any reliable estimates as for now.
Haroutiun Khachatrian, editor of the Noyan Tappan News Agency, told CNN that riot police arrested several hundred people in the square Saturday morning, including many opposition party officials. Ter-Petrosian was there but was not arrested, he said. [legal status of Ter-Petrosyan is not clear yet, but he is effectively inder 'house arrest'] [officials say about only 15 arrested opposition supporters]
A spokeswoman of Foreign Ministry appeal for help of international community in mediating poliical dialogue between opposition and authorities: "We are hoping with the help of the international community, the opposition, the leader of the opposition, will come and enter a political dialogue rather than continuing this debate on the streets," she said.
An Armenian woman interviewed by CNN said there was "huge chaos" when police moved in.
"These are innocent people," she said. "They just want their freedom. They just want to be heard. They are being beaten up, some people have horrible wounds." She asked that CNN not use her name because she feared for her safety.
According to the rules of State of Emergency in Armenia (decree of incumbent president Robert Kocharyan), there are severe restrictions imposed on media and apparently on blogging too. Only official information on internal situation in Armenia can be published for at least in coming 20 days.
Fellow bloggers and independent information news sources in Armenia, my Unzipped blog is ready to provide you with a space where you can put your news, blog posts etc. I am currently in London, UK, so no emergency rule is applied to me. Please, if you wish, send your posts, news, photos, videos to artmika.unzipped@googlemail.com
Please, aslo state under which nickname or source name you would like me to post your news items, photos, videos or blog posts on current situation in Armenia. I respect your confidentiality.
*UPDATE 51 - 4 am local time Reuters confirms previous news on decision to end protests (well, for now at least) by Levon Ter-Petrosyan and adhere to 'state of emergency' decree: YEREVAN, March 2 (Reuters) - Most of the opposition supporters locked in a standoff with police in Armenia's capital ended their protest on Sunday but a group of around 60 refused to go home and set fire to abandoned police vehicles. Most of the crowd, which numbered about 2,000, headed away from a square in the Armenian capital where they had been demonstrating after a message was read out from opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan urging them to go home. Armenian leader Robert Kocharyan had declared a state of emergency late on Saturday and said he would send in the army to end the standoff with opposition supporters, who earlier in the day fought pitched battles with police. In a message read out by one of his supporters, Ter-Petrosyan told the demonstrators to go home until the 20-day state of emergency had expired. "I do not want any victims and clashes between police and innocent people. That is why I am asking you to leave," said the message from Ter-Petrosyan, who has been barred by police from leaving his home. His supporters had been staging daily protests since a Feb. 19 election they said had been rigged to hand victory to Prime Minister Serzh Sarksyan, a close Kocharyan ally. A Reuters reporter at the scene of the protest said about 60 people refused to go, with some accusing Ter-Petrosyan of being a traitor. They set fire to police jeeps left there following the clashes on Saturday.
*UPDATE 50 - 3.47 am local time IMPORTANT! - PROTESTS END FOR NOW The Armenian Observer reports that “eyewitness said, that Levon Ter-Petrossian had called from his house, where he was sitting under house arrest, and told the protesters to go away, warning, that tanks and military are coming and more serious accidents will happen if people do not obey. Ter-Petrossian has also said, that they will mobilize again in 15 days, after the state of emergency declared today by President Kocharian is lifted, and will continue “demanding justice”.
*UPDATE 48 - 2.05 am local time Recommended reading - NY Times article on situation in Armenia - "Protesters and Police Clash as Armenia Unrest Grows" Finally, a proper reporting from respected international media.
*UPDATE 47 - 1.57 am local time Incumbent president Robert Kocharyan acknowledged that he decided to use army to 'solve' the internal crisis in Armenia (Regnum). IT IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE TO USE ARMY AGAINST ITS OWN PEOPLE, TO SETTLE INTERNAL POLITICAL CRISIS! IT IS A DIRECT WAY TO BLOODSHED.
In the meantime, Armenian parliament is discussing now the situation in an urgent session, ArmInfo reports.
*UPDATE 46 - 1.31 am local time - Ditord has just provided with the update: "By this time there’s around 1200-2000 people left at the main site of demonstration, rather few people remaining to protect the barricades." (However, estimates from other sources, provided by Ditord, state the number at around 5000-7000 and perhaps growing) There are also reports of looting going on at various sites.
*UPDATE 45 IMPORTANT - 12.37 AM LOCAL TIME - DITORD JUST TOLD ME THAT "There’s a crowd of around 10,000 people standing in front of the Myasnikyan statue - with opposition leaders speaking to them and claiming victory." "right now shooting is going on!" "BMPs and the real military is coming to disperse the rioters. right now shooting is going on!" Keep safe, Ditor, my heart is with you all!!!
*UPDATE 44 Panorama reports that the opposition rally in front of French embassy and Yerevan municipality was "forcibly dispersed by police."
*UPDATE 43 There are unconfirmed reports on numerous injured and at least one killed. However, nothing is confirmed yet. (According to ArmeniaNow, they have "learned from a doctor at Emergency Hospital N3 that at least two people have been killed – one civilian and one policeman – in the melee currently underway in Yerevan.")
*UPDATE 42 11pm local time - I just spoke with my relatives in Yerevan again. At this moment no shots can be heard. However, A1+ reports that clashes continue and number of burnt police cars can be seen everywhere in central Yerevan.So far, according to reports from Yerevan, police shot in the air.
*UPDATE 41 STATE OF EMERGENCY IS DECLARED IN ARMENIAFOR 20 DAYS, INCUMBENT PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHARYAN DECLARED.
*UPDATE 40 Opposition Heritage party issued a statement condemning the use of 'agent provocateur' by authorities to escalate the situation and provoke clashes. They also comdemn the use of army and soldiers for dealing with internal political crisis. Heritage calls protesters to be vigilant and avoid provocations. (Lragir)
*UPDATE 39 YEREVAN, March 1 (Reuters) - Sporadic shooting rocked the centre of Armenia's capital on Saturday and tracer bullets flew across the dusky sky near where the opposition had been holding a rally, a Reuters eye-witness reported."I can hear sporadic shooting and see red and yellow tracers going into the skies," Reuters correspondent Hasmik Mkrtchyan reported from a vantage point near the scene."This is all happening near the place where the opposition rallied today," she said. "It's not clear who is shooting at whom."
*UPDATE 38 ArmInfo reports on clashes between protesters and police.
*UPDATE 37 BREAKING - 9.40 PM LOCAL TIME- I AM NOW SPEAKING WITH MY FAMILY. NOTHING IS CLEAR. LOTS OF FIRE AROUND. SMOKE. I CAN HERE SHOTS. PEOPLE CONVINCED THAT IT IS A PROVOCATION FROM AUTHORITIES TO JUSTIFY CURFEW AND CRACKDOWN ON PEOPLE.
LOTS OF SOLDIERS IN THE STREETS - WHETHER IT IS ARMY OR RIOT POLICE, IS NOT CLEAR.
THERE ARE SOME INDICATIONS THAT IT IS ARMY BUT STILL NO CONFIRMATION YET.
*UPDATE 36 - Provocation? "At around 9:15 p.m. several “Molotov cocktails” were thrown from within the crowd of demonstrators near the Italian Embassy, over vehicles that the protestors had positioned earlier as barricades, and into police who have formed a perimeter on three sides of the crowd believed to be of several thousand. In response, the Yerevan night has been brightened with what appears to be red tracer bullets, fired from a direction somewhere southwest of Republic Square. A quick burst of automatic fire has been heard and a witness in the neighborhood says several shots of small caliber arms have been exchanged. The projectile of the apparent tracer rounds were fired high into the sky, believed to be warning shots above where the crowd of demonstrators have stationed. The projectile of the apparent tracer rounds were fired high into the sky, believed to be warning shots above where the crowd of demonstrators have stationed. Witnesses on Zakiyan Street tell ArmeniaNow that in addition to the automatic fire, there has also been shots fired into the crowd (though it is unclear whether they were live rounds or "rubber" bullets) and that a melee has broken out with civilian protestors grabbing all available items to arm themselves. Stretchers have been brought to the scene, as meanwhile police have closed off main streets linking the area to Mashtots Avenue, the city's main thoroughfare." (ArmeniaNow.com)
*UPDATE 35 Unconfirmed reports of tear gas used agains protesters. (Lragir)
*UPDATE 34 - 'state of emergency'? Yerevan, March 1 (Reuters) - Armenia's president may declare state of emergency if his stand off with the opposition continues, but there is still hope to resolve the crisis peacefully, the foreign minister said on Saturday. "All (draft) decrees are ready to declare state of emergency," Vardan Oskanyan told a news conference.
"At this moment the president is holding serious discussions and meetings, and he is very keen to resolve this political matter by political means.
"Now it all depends on opposition (leaders). I feel we are living through a critical moment, and if we now take the right decision we (the nation) will win."
*UPDATE 33 press conference of incumbent president Robert Kocharyan is imminent (Regnum). However, as for the moment, it was decided that instead Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian will meet reporters (above).
*UPDATE 32 Levon Ter-Petrosyan election campaign team issued a statement demanding immediate release of Ter-Petrosyan from 'house arrest'. Only his presence in a rally could help calm people's emotions and prevent further escalation of the situation. Otherwise, Armenian authorities and personally incumbent president Robert Kocharyan and prime minister Serj Sargsyan will bear all responsibility for 'consequences'. (Lragir)
*UPDATE 31 - new photos from opposition rally currently underway in front of French embassy and Yerevan city municipality in Yerevan (source)
*UPDATE 30 MP form opposition Heritage party Armen Martirosyan was knifed during the rally, allegedly by 'agent provocateur'. He was taken to the hospital and in stable condition now. (RFE/RL)
*UPDATE 29 Previously detained opposition figure Aram Manukyan and photo-journalist Gagik Shamshyan has just been released. (Panorama)
*UPDATE 28 Lragir reports that previously detained former prime minister Hrant Bagratyan (supporter of Levon Ter-Petrosyan) has been released. Based on sources, ArmInfo reports that Bagratyan is participating now in a joint meeting of heads of diplomatic representations of European states in Yerevan.
*UPDATE 27 OSCE and Council of Europe condemn use of force in Armenia, detention of opposition supporters/leaders and appeal for post-election dialogue
*ArmInfoThe OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva, condemns the use of force against peaceful demonstrators in Yerevan today
The press service of the OSCE quotes Kanerva issued this statement: "I urge the authorities to use maximum restraint. I am troubled that there are reports of casualties. I urge the authorities to release those detained, and I again call on the government and the opposition to engage in dialogue."
In meetings with Armenian officials in Yerevan on 26 February, the Minister had said the OSCE was ready to continue helping the country as it attempts to consolidate its democracy and address shortcomings noted by OSCE and other observers during the 19 February presidential election process.
"The OSCE considers dialogue central to stability. At this important stage in Armenia's development, everything should be done to avoid any escalation of tension," said Minister Kanerva, who also visited Azerbaijan and Georgia during his visit to the South Caucasus this week.
*ArmInfoHeads of diplomatic representations of European states in Armenia are holding joint meeting at Germany's Embassy to discuss the situation in the republic, ArmInfo correspondent got such information from the trustworthy sources
*ArmInfo - Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis is concerned about today's developments in Yerevan and condemns use of force to disperse protesters, as well as on-going detentions of opposition figures and reports of 'house arrest' of Levon Ter-Petrosyan
The press service of the CE reports Terry Davis issued this statement: "I am very concerned about reports of injuries during the security forces operation to disperse protesters in Yerevan this morning. If these reports are confirmed, all allegations of excessive force should be properly investigated. It is also vital to prevent any further violence,"
"I am also alarmed by the reports that the runner-up in the recent presidential elections, former President Lev Ter-Petrossian, has been put under house arrest. If this is true, he should be immediately released. If he is accused of committing a crime, he should be properly charged and prosecuted in a court of law like anyone else. In a democracy you cannot arbitrarily detain political opponents."
*UPDATE 26 - They want to establish in Armenia "1937" - Detentions, detentions (video via A1+)
*UPDATE 25 - Evidence of State brutality (photo via ArmeniaNow.com, video via A1+)
*UPDATE 24 - Rally in front of French embassy Levon Ter-Petrosyan campaign team has just issued a statement calling its supporters and anyone who is not indifferent to gather for a rally in front of French embassy in Yerevan (Lragir). According to reports, thousands of people are currently there and there is non-stop flow of people towards French embassy in Yerevan.
*UPDATE 23 - Waiting for Ter-Petrosyan Hetq reports that "tens of thousands people in front of French embassy in Yerevan are waiting for Levon Ter-Petrosyan to come." Among protesters are Nikol Pashinyan (whose whereabout was not known before), Khachatur Sukiasyan, Suren Abrahamyan, Myasnik Malkhasyan, Sasun Mikaelyan and Stepan Demirchyan.
Yerevan-With a brutality that is characteristic of the incumbent Armenian authorities and in a severe violation of the provisions laid down by the country’s constitution and the international Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the police, in the early hours of today. attacked the peaceful protesters of Liberty Square.
They dispersed the thousands of participants who have been rallying in the past ten days. According to the preliminary reports, there are numerous injured, several casualties as well as countless people whose whereabouts are not known.
The Heritage Party deplores this modus operandi of communicating with the people solely by the use of brutal force. The rulers of today have once again placed themselves beyond the law and confirmed their tyranny to the entire world.
The disgraceful presidential elections, recently held with an unprecedented number of law violations, is subsequently followed by this crime which the current administration committed against its own people. In view of this tragedy, it would be meaningless to now speak about the establishment of a legitimate presidential institution in Armenia. It is beyond any doubt that such atrocious methods will bring forth huge problems for the country in terms of meeting its foreign and domestic challenges.
Against the backdrop of the ruling administration’s appeals for collaboration-appeals which were made to their “brothers and sisters” assembled at the Liberty Square-this abhorring action also stands as a vivid example of the dual ethics by which the current administration is governed.
Heritage urges the free citizens of Armenia to stand firm against brutal force and to continue their fight for civil rights and human dignity. Our country deserves a legitimate government that enjoys public trust, and the shared spiritual desire and the justified struggle of the people will ultimately give birth to such a government.
*UPDATE 21 Thousads keep gathering in front of French embassy in Yerevan, despite intimidations and excessive presence of riot police. There is possibility, as Echannel reports, that (thanks to negotiations between Ter-Petrosyan campaign team and police forces) people will be allowed to march towards Matenadaran. However, at the moment, as Lragir reports, people keep gathering in front of French Embassy. (photos via Hetq Online and ArmeniaNow.com)
*UPDATE 20 “We are waiting for the Constitutional Court. If it does not invalidate the election outcome, we will go forward,” he said vaguely.
Though officially not under arrest, Ter-Petrosyan is in effect isolated as police have surround his home.
He did not rule out that a spontaneous outpouring of popular support would start. “If no curfew is set or state of emergency is declared, this movement will grow,” Ter-Petrosyan said. (ArmeniaNow.com, photo via A1+)
*UPDATE 19 - photo of injured in Yerevan hospital (via RFE/RL)
*UPDATE 18 Yerevan /Mediamax/. Ex-President of Armenia stated in Yerevan today that, having dispersed the rally of his supporters, “the Armenian authorities not only threw down a challenge to their people, but also to the international community”. Mediamax reports that Levon Ter-Petrosian said this at a news conference today at his place. According to him, “in the course of the recent week, the Armenian authorities were lulling the vigilance of international organizations, promising that they would not use force against the peace[ful] demonstrators”.
“One can expect anything from these authorities, since they have a large baggage of crimes – political assassinations, corruption, the responsibility for the terrorist act in the parliament on October 27 of 1999”, the Ex-President stated.
“The Armenian authorities threw down a challenge to the whole world”, Levon Ter-Petrosian stated.
*UPDATE 17 - Arrested and injured (via Lragir and A1+, as for 2.23pm local time) ARRESTED 1. Davit Matevosyan 2. Armen Ohanyan 3. Davit Arakelyan (Police Central Department) 4. Vahagn Hayotsyan (Police Central Department) 5. Aram Manukyan (Police Central Department) 6. Masis Aivazyan 7. Levik Khachatryan 8. Hrant Bagratyan 9. Gagik Shamshyan, reporter (Police Kanaker Department) 10.Koryun Mheryan (Martuni Police Department) 11.Vemir Mkhitaryan (Martuni Police Department) 12. Gevorg Simonyan (Martuni Police Department) 13. Tsatur Sevoyan (Martuni Police Department)
MISSING 1. Vahagn Khachatryan 2. Alexander Arzumanyan 3. Ararat Zurabyan 4. Christ Manuk Manukyan 5. Manuel Manuk Manukyan 6. Tigran Baghdasaryan 7. Martin Petrosyan 8. Avetik Ishkhanyan
INJURED 1. Aram Bareghamyan (Republic Hospital) 2. Babken Atoyan (Republic Hospital) 3. 3 people at Ambulance Station 4. 6 citizens, 1 policeman (Masiv Hospital, reanimation department)
*UPDATE 16 "Ter-Petrosyan supporter Yerjanik Abgaryan speaking on behalf of Ter-Petrosyan (who is said to be under house arrest) urged people to Republic Square, which is a few hundred meters from Grigor Lusavorich street where the current protest is staged. He also said, apparently again speaking on behalf of Ter-Petrosyan, that “Europe has abandoned the Armenian people” and urged people not to rely on the world community and take the fate into their own hands.
In a separate development, Yerkir Media reports that Ter-Petrosyan’s supporter MP Khachatur Sukiasyan’s house was searched in the morning. Sukiasyan is reported to have surrendered his weapon that he possesses legally, according to a state license." (ArmeniaNow.com)
*UPDATE 15 Unconfirmed reports on mass arrests of opposition leaders/supporters, including former prime minister Hrant Bagratyan.
*UPDATE 14 Reports that police forces circled people protesting in front of French embassy and brutally attack some protesters, a witness told RFE/RL
"Heritage Party Parliament Member Anahit Bakshyan is among those who have been beaten outside the French Embassy. ArmeniaNow reporters witnessed the oppositionist MP being kicked and clubbed. Bakshyan’s driver tells ArmeniaNow that the MP was not injured in the confrontation.
As tension grows outside the embassy, an ArmeniaNow reporter working on the scene also witnessed as a 73-old-woman pensioner, demanding a “rule-of-law country”, tried to approach Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan. The woman was hit by one of the police and her nose began to bleed."
*UPDATE 12 RFE/RL reports that currently spontaneous rally is taking place in front of French embassy in Yerevan. Protesters shout "Freedom", "Levon". Despite police warnings, more people are joining the protest. Reports are now coming up on clashes between police and protesters.
*UPDATE 11 ArmInfo reports that police cordoned off the office of pro-opposition news outlet A1+. They do not allow journalists to enter or leave the building. Right now it is impossible to access A1+ website - http://www.a1plus.am/ A1+ is the main source of information on opposition movement.
This info was later on denied by A1+. A representative from A1+ confirmed to Panorama that police did not block their office and their work. (168 zham)
*UPDATE 9 - first pictures from Yerevan (via A1+, ArmeniaNow, RFE/RL)
*UPDATE 8 RFE/RL: Former President Levon Ter-Petrosian was reportedly placed under house arrest early Saturday after the Armenian police and other security services used force to disperse his supporters camped in Yerevan’s Liberty Square. According to eyewitnesses, scores of police, interior troops and other security forces surrounded the square at around 7 a.m. and began dispersing the small crowd, using truncheons, tear gas and electric-shock equipment. Dozens of demonstrators and security officers were said to have been injured in the violent scene which apparently lasted for about 30 minutes.[...]
ArmeniaNow reports: "People who were on the scene at Liberty Square have told ArmeniaNow that at about 5 a.m. news stirred in the camp that an action by law enforcement was imminent. At around 6 a.m. troops were seen being delivered to the site. According to sources, Levon Ter-Petrosyan was in the camp at that time and addressed the crowd (estimated at around 1,000), asking that his followers not give authorities a reason to act. But some among the crowd began to take up rocks and sticks and other items, and a general unease stirred. Two rows of riot police moved in with shields. The second row carried batons and began dispersing the group. The site remained quiet until about 9 a.m., but as news spread and spectators came to the area, skirmishes with police broke out. ArmeniaNow witnesses saw pools of blood on nearby sidewalks and police using electric shock devices and beating people with clubs. Photographers were chased from the area and at least one video-camera was seen being beaten. Some people were chased several blocks from the scene. As of this hour, police and special forces appear to be expanding the perimeter and have closed off streets several blocks around the square."
*UPDATE 7 11 am local time - Levon Ter-Petrosyan gives press conference from his house. Lragir.am now reports that police prevents journalists from entering to Ter-Petrosyan house. However, later Lragir confirmed that journalists were allowed to enter Ter-Petrosyan house.
Conflicting data on numbers of injured - from several people to hundreds. Around 20 police cars cordoned off house of MP Khachatur Sukiasyan, well known businessman and Ter-Petrosyan supporter.
*UPDATE 6 A1+: All central streets in Yerevan are full with police forces. People who shout "Levon, Levon" got beaten by police. Police confiscated video cameras from A1+ and other media representatives. A1+ reports on at least 2 opposition supporters who detained by police (sons of Manuk Gasparyan).
*UPDATE 5 Reuters reports that Armenian riot police used truncheons to break up an opposition protest in the capital Yerevan on Saturday, witnesses said. A Reuters correspondent in Freedom Square, scene of the protests, said it was now surrounded by several hundred riot police who were blocking access. A man near the square, who did not want to give his name, said he had been with the protesters when the police arrived. The man's finger was broken. "We were asleep. They came and they started to beat us up. They had truncheons," he said.
*UPDATE 4 According to A1+ , police dispersion against peaceful protesters started at 6.20 am, and at 6.40 police started beating protesters.
Levon Ter-Pettrosyan is now forcibly taken to his house. No reports on any detained, as yet. Photoreporter of Aravot daily and Chorrord Ishkhanutyun newspapers Gagik Shamshyan was assaulted by police.
Organisers claim that they intend to gather rally in Liberty sq at 3pm local time. If not possible, it will take place in Northern avenue, Republic sq, or Shahumyan sq.
*UPDATE 3 According to BBC, "Scuffles broke out as police began forcing the demonstrators on to buses after 10 days of protests against the alleged rigging of the election.[...] Hundreds of police moved against the opposition camp on Freedom Square early on Saturday, dispersing the few hundred protesters still there. Media were kept away from the square as army lorries took away the protesters' tents."
*UPDATE 2 Bekaisa reports of at least 2 cases of protesters injured as a result of police attacks. Also, police broke video camera of Yerkir Media TV company.
*UPDATE According to statment by Levon Ter-Petrosyan team published in Lragir.am (also bekaisa), around five thousand police forces entered Liberty sq and dispersed peaceful protesters. Police forces led by head of incumbent president Robert Kocharyan bodyguard chief Grisha Sargsyan tried to arrest Levon Ter-Petrosyan, but he asked to provide official sanction, which was not given. At the moment Te-Petrosyan is in Liberty sq circled by police. Levon Ter-Petrosyan declared that he will try to continue protests and organise a peaceful rally at 3pm local time as planned.
Here is original Armenian version of that statement:
Այսօր առավոտյան ժամը 7:30-ին [time indicated wrong, everything started around 7 am] մոտ հինգ հազար ոստիկան ներխուժել են Ազատության հրապարակ և ցրել խաղաղ ցուցարարներին: Ոստիկանական ուժերը` Ռոբերտ Քոչարյանի թիկնազորի պետ Գրիշա Սարգսյանի գլխավորությամբ, փորձել են ձերբակալել ՀՀ առաջին նաագահ Լևոն Տեր-Պետրոսյանին: Վերջինս պահանջել է ցույց տալ ձերբակալման սանկցիան, ինչը նրանք չեն արել: Այս պահին Լևոն Տեր-Պետրոսյանը ոստիկաններով շրջապատված գտնվում է Ազատության հրապարակում: Լևոն Տեր-Պետրոսյանի թիմակիցների որոշ մասի գտնվելու վայրը հայտնի չէ: Լևոն Տեր-Պետրոսյանը հայտարարել է, որ փորձելու են այսօր ժամը 15:00-ին շարունակել բողոքի խաղաղ ցույցը:
reading_is_dangerous said... 7:10 AM Perhaps something is happening at the Opera. I just head a lot of noises, and I saw many men running two by two towards the place.
Then Ani provided this AP link
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Armenian police are dispersing several hundred opposition supporters who have been camping out in the capital for more than a week. Police early Saturday were detaining the protesters in Yerevan and forcing them into buses. The opposition has been protesting the Feb. 19 presidential election results and trying to force a new vote. Officials say Prime Minister Serge Sarkisian — the favored successor of outgoing President Robert Kocharian — won the vote outright. But supporters of opposition candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian have rejected the results, citing fraud.
Силы правопорядка разогнали митинг оппозиции в Ереване Силы правопорядка 1 марта примерно в 7:00 утра по местному времени (6 мск) разогнали митинг оппозиции, который вот уже десятый день собирается на площади "Свободы" в Ереване. Как сообщает корреспондент ИА REGNUM, в настоящее время весь центр города оцеплен внутренними войсками. Во время разгона митинга на площади находился экс-президент Левон Тер-Петросян, который незадолго призвал собравшихся не вступать в противостояние с полицией. Сейчас полиция занята разбором палаток, в которых ночью оставались митингующие. В момент разгона на площади находилось несколько тысяч человек, на месте можно обнаружить следы крови. Как утверждают очевидцы, полицейские применили дубинки и другие спецсредства. Операция по разгону длилась 10-15 минут.
Brief in English (based on Regnum) - around 7 am local time police started dispersing protesters who were spending 10th night in Liberty sq in Yerevan. There were several thousands protester at the moment of dispersion. Witnesses said that police used batons and other special means, there are traces of blood at the scene. Levon Ter-Petrosyan was in Liberty sq at the moment of dispersion and urged people not get into confrontation with police. The police 'operation' took 10-15 mins. Centre of Yerevan is cordoned off by special forces.
Below is a list of politically motivated arrests and detentions in post-election Armenia. This process is still on-going. All detainees are either affiliated with opposition parties or relatives, acquaintances and friends of oppositionists. *Source - A1+ and Human Rights in Armenia.
Leader of the New Times Party (NZhK) Aram Karapetian is charged with treachery.
Leader of the “Democratic Homeland” Party Petros Makeyan is arrested for intervening with the activities of an electoral commission.
Smbat Aivazian, member of “Hanrapetutiun” (Republic) Party is arrested for carrying an illegal weapon.
Gagik Jhanhirian is taken into custody for carrying illegal weapons and explosives. He is charged with violence against a government representative.
Leader of the “Motherland and Honour” Party Garnik Margarian were kept in the police for 20 hours without any grounds.
Suren Sureniants is taken under arrest. He is charged with the violation of the law on “Marches, Rallies and Demonstrations.”
Vardan Kirakossian and Artak Sisakian were released after a two-day stay at the police station.
Ashot Zakarian, Arsen Sargsian, Vahan Harutiunian, Artak Sargsian and Gurgen Eghazarian were taken to the police station and released in a few hours.
Husik Baghdasarian, Seryoja Siradeghian and Yurik Mamian are detained.
So here we are. Arthur Baghdasaryan accepted an offer by prime minister (‘elected president’) Serj Sargsyan to take a position of secretary (= chief) of Armenia’s National Security Council. From now on Arthur Baghdasaryan and his “Orinats Yerkir” party bear equal responsibility with the ruling regime in relation to political situation and developments in Armenia.
You do not just offer this post to ‘opposition’ leader. It’s pretty important position dealing directly with issues of internal and external security of Armenia. You offer this post only to a person whom you really trust. Currently this position is led by the head of presidential administration.
I must say, Arthur Baghdasaryan is an excellent actor. There were always doubts in relation to his persona that he is playing game of Armenian authorities, with various post-election scenarios/speculations. But there was always ‘may be not’, always some kind of uncertainty there. Now we know exactly that it is not an extreme rhetoric or inflexibility from Ter-Petrosyan side that prevented Arthur Baghdasaryan from joining opposition coalition. He was just playing a game, he was always a part of ruling regime.
If current opposition movement led by Levon Ter-Petrosyan achieved something, this is one of the achievements. It helps clear things up in Armenian political scene, so that for once we will know who is who. Excellent step by chess loving prime minister Serj Sargsyan. A total disgrace for Arthur Baghdasaryan and his “Orinats Yerkir” party (and I am not talking here about thousands of his followers who genuinely believed him) who have always been a party of authorities, never an ‘opposition’ as they claimed to be. Just like nationalist ARF Dashnaktsutyun party...
Election observers from OSCE/ODIHR played an instrumental role in mounting political crisis in Armenia as tools in hands of ruling regime to obtain much needed international legitimacy not due to fair elections but by positive headline of OSCE/ODIHR statement issued shortly after the preliminary results were announced. Armenian civil society and ordinary people were shocked and outraged by discrepancies between what they’ve witnessed and reported during ‘elections’ and what observers stated in their headline message of “mainly in line.” What I think about their shameful ‘mission’ – here, here and here.
It seems now that huge mass protests in Armenia’s capital Yerevan lead to a “full-blown credibility crisis” for OSCE/ODIHR election monitoring mission, as reported by Jean-Christophe Peuch of EurasiaNet:
"A controversial election-monitoring mission in Armenia has plunged the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights into a full-blown credibility crisis. Already under attack from member states that are hostile to ODIHR’s democratization mandate, the Warsaw-based office is now facing harsh criticism from civil society advocates.
[…] ODIHR is also coming under attack from opposition groupings in former Soviet states, which condemn the Warsaw office for failing to publicly expose election fraud, thus contributing to the consolidation of what they describe as authoritarian or semi-authoritarian regimes. In addition, recent monitoring reports that have glossed over instances of blatant fraud have also stoked a sense of chagrin among international civil society activists.
Recent elections in the Southern Caucasus region encapsulate ODIHR’s problems.
On January 5, Georgia’s incumbent leader Mikheil Saakashvili won a second five-year term with 53.5 percent of the vote. On February 19, Armenia’s Prime Minister and government candidate Serzh Sarkisian was elected president with nearly 53 percent of the vote. By obtaining just over 50 percent of the vote, Saakashvili and Sarkisian both avoided presidential run-offs against the second-place finishers in the respective elections.
Election observers from ODIHR, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and the European Parliament concluded in a joint statement that both ballots were “mostly in line with international commitments” made by the respective governments of Georgia and Armenia, but that “significant challenges” needed to be urgently addressed.
Opposition candidates in both countries denounced the elections results were fraudulent and called upon their supporters to take to the streets. Thousands of antigovernment protesters have been demonstrating in Yerevan over the past week, while in Georgia, a lackluster popular response prompted the opposition to temporarily shelve plans for a nationwide hunger strike.
On February 20, Armenia’s leading opposition candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian said he was holding international observers partially responsible for the falsification he claimed took place on Election Day.
Recounts of selected electoral districts in Armenia found some cases of gross instances of fraud that either election monitors missed, or, for whatever reason, did not report on.
Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva, who currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the OSCE, held talks with Armenian officials in Yerevan on February 26. An OSCE statement issued after the meetings quoted Kanerva as calling upon the government and the opposition to solve their dispute through dialog, but made no mention of the arrests of political figures who have declared their support for Ter-Petrosian.
[…] Kanerva expressed particular concern about the situation in Yerevan, where protests calling for the annulment of the February 19 election results were in the eighth day. “After discussions with [Armenian] politicians … I’m not totally convinced about the future,” Kanerva said. “The most important thing is for peace and that there will be no violence.” […] "
We, the undersigned civil society organizations, express our deep concern with the pre-election period, the election campaign and the post-election processes in the country. The assessment of international observers, even though portrayed in a positive light by the government and the government controlled media, was critical. However, the apparent discrepancy between the actual findings of the assessment with the formative first two sentences of the report resulted in the government only referring to this paragraph in the international observers’ assessment in order to legitimize the results of the election. Meanwhile, in the report, international observers pointed out to media censorship, intimidation of voters, vote buying, etc. and called vote count ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ in 16 percent of polling stations visited. Qualifying such practices as a “step forward” and in line with the commitments to hold free and fair elections discredits the notion of democracy and further lowers the standards of democratic reforms.
A number of undersigned organizations observed the elections during the voting day as well as the process prior and post February 19. The instances of violations are numerous and are documented in our reports.
We are particularly concerned with the Freedom of Media/Access to Media, Violence, Corruption and Use of Administrative Resources, Arrests of Public Figures.
One of the main points that the OSCE/ODHIR observation mission made in its interim report concerned the need to establish public trust in the electoral process. Deep rooted mistrust and often-referred-to public apathy is nothing else but self-preservation reaction of the Armenian people vs. the atmosphere of impunity for those who perpetrated electoral fraud in all past elections. The processes taking place after the elections are alarming and will definitely deepen the public distrust.
We believe that as long as electoral fraud goes uninvestigated and unpunished, there will be no trust in the process and in the legal and judicial system.
We believe that only through open and widely inclusive public discussion over the above stated problems and violations it is possible to foster the atmosphere of trust and public confidence.
In view of the above, we state that this election was not held in correspondence with our understanding of democratic values and practices.
We believe that the way the authorities handle the fraud will be indicative of the honest determination to abide by the rules of democratic free and fair elections.
We call upon the international community to see through the commitment of the Armenian government to comply with the procedure and to require documentation of proper investigation and due punishment of those who violated the law.
We call upon the Armenian government to stop politically motivated detentions. These are not calls for impunity, but a call for the government to set the example for the Armenian people and to act within the law.
We call upon the international community to make objective conclusions based on their own findings and not to discredit the notion of democracy, democratic standards and principles, as well as the international organizations carrying out an observation mission.
Signatories
Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression Helsinki Committee of Armenia Helsinki Citizens Assembly Vanadzor Branch “Asparez” Journalists’ Club “Internews-Armenia” Media Support NGO Media Diversity Institute Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation-Armenia Transparency International Anti-corruption Center Yerevan Press Club
The answer is big NO. Like in case of other major popular movements, there are not infrequent cases when leader seeks support from people with questionable reputation, to say the least, or when crowd cheers anyone who joins the movement.
I have to agree with Aravot daily’s editor Aram Abrahamyan in this instance:
“Aravot” takes a critical look at some of Levon Ter-Petrosian’s allies, notably the former chief military prosecutor Gagik Jahangirian. “Now that that the former military prosecutor Gagik Jahangirian has joined the opposition they are urging us to forget the fact that his investigators tortured soldiers, that he is the one who botched the investigation into the October 27 case [of the parliament shootings.] We are told to keep silent about that because Mr. Jahangirian is now participating in the break-up of the ‘kleptocratic pyramid.’ But wasn’t he an integral part and loyal servant of that pyramid for ten years?”
The same applies to general Manvel, for instance, as Aravot editor rightly points out too. When I wrote about his alleged support for popular movement, it’s not his persona or his high-rank military position I was happy about but the fact that they reportedly stated that the army will be kept away "from interfering with politics and being used against people".
As to currently arrested former military prosecutor Jahangiryan, as MP from opposition Heritage party Zara Postanjyan says, no one forgets that his name is associated with cases of human rights abuses, especially in military (which MP investigated). However, right now he has been arrested not for that allegation, but purely for political reasons, for his support to first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan and opposition movement. Therefore, in this case I will support him and will demand his release.
I have to say big NO to detentions of people for political motives, which effectively makes them political prisoners, regardless of their questionable reputation.
Thanks to mk.am who reminded me this famous poem attributed to Martin Niemoeller. There are various versions of the poem, one of which is inscribed on a stone in New England Holocaust Memorial (photo below via Wikipedia). Essentially, they are very similar and very current.
They came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up.
Never before (in a decade or so) Yerevan saw such a big rally and such a huge protest against falsified elections, in support of their right to vote and the chance for democracy in Armenia. Arminfo puts number at 70 000, many say about 100 000 or even more. Ongoing arrests and detentions of a number of opposition supporters did not manage to intimidate people. Quite the contrary. The fact that prime minister Serj Sargsyan & co tried to organise ‘alternative’ ‘victory’ rally in Republic sq by ordering and forcing people (local administration, civil servants, schools etc) from all over the regions to gather in Yerevan achieved quite the opposite result.
Many people from regions were at last had a chance to come to Yerevan, as main roads were blocked and checked for days to limit their numbers for opposition rallies led by former president and presidential hopeful Levon Ter-Petrosyan. Therefore, many came from regions as if for prime minister rally, but then switched to opposition rally which was closer to their hearts.
Whether current ruling regime will eventually manage to break down these protests, remains to be seen. They can only do it by imposing Stalinist methods (they already started - arrests, Bolshevik style propaganda…).
The fact that they lost already is out of question.
I never thought I would see him like this again. He was people’s leader back in late 80s. We considered him one of us. Then things changed, and the most frequent image of him left in my memory was one of arrogance. And I criticised him for that. But looking at this unique video of Levon dancing in Yerevan’s Liberty sq (captured this night by A1+), whether you consider it PR (good one!) or not, it feels right again. It feels right to see him spending night in tents with other ordinary people, his supporters. It feels right to see him dancing. It feels right to see his human side again, which was so deeply hidden for years.
…and here is Lyudmila, his wife, dancing.
If this movement for democracy in Armenia succeeds, it won’t be remembered as coloured one (like in Ukraine - orange), it will be unique Armenian one – dancing revolution...
Four senior Armenian diplomats - the Armenian ambassador to Italy, Spain and Portugal Ruben Shugaryan, the Armenian ambassador to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Levon Khachatryan, the envoy of Armenia to Ukraine and Moldova Razmik Khumaryan and the deputy foreign minister Armen Baiburdyan have resigned in protest of the conduct of presidential election and in support of opposition movement led by the first president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan. This information has just been confirmed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ruben Shugaryan was Armenia's first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan's press-secretary in 1992-1993, before (1991-1992) he was Ter-Petrosyan's aide.
Regardless of conflicting news of support by some high-rank officials in government, judiciary, military etc (some of them confirmed, others - not), it is clear that Levon Ter-Petrosyan has loyal group of supporters in governmental structures, who even after 10 years of him not being in power, retained their loyalty. However, it is not just a personal issue. The disappointment in current givernment is so high and voting irregularities and violence was so blatant during presidential election in Armenia, that even people who do not particularly support Ter-Petrosyan joined the protest movement which is evolving to become a movement for democracy.
It is also very indicative that even though a coalition of pro-government MPs will soon issue a statement of support to prime-minister Serj Sargsyan, they will specifically state (after amendements proposed by an MP from governing Republican Party) that they call Armenian police to protect safety of peaceful protesters.
However, the situation in Yerevan is changing very quickly. This morning clashes seemed inevitable. Then, later during the day, things changed and under the pressure of influences from various sides, it was agreed to refrain from using physical force, for now at least. But things may be different in an hour, tomorrow, or next week.
It is obvious that incumbent president Kocharyan's return to Yerevan (after his Moscow visit) and his meeting with security, military and police chiefs brought more weight to prime-minister side, and today Ter-Petrosyan position does not look as strong as it was yesterday. Also, position of international community is a serious blow not only to Ter-Petrosyan but also to everyone who cares about democracy in Armenia. But tens of thousands keep gathering in Liberty sq with the same spirit and determination, and hopefully it is too soon to say "The End".
I feel very weird today. I have this feeling that the authorities will violently break down people’s protests, very soon. They will ‘create’ provocations whether from inside or outside the opposition movement, and then will come to ‘restore order’ or something like that.
Now that the international community in face of EU and previously hesitated US “congratulated” Armenian people for ‘elections’, they (EU/US) effectively gave carte blanche to authorities to act, suggesting that they will put blind eye on their actions. It is obvious that EU/US have so many ‘more important’ issues and disagreements with Russia, that they won’t like to be involved in Armenian affairs too, thus upsetting Russia even more. International community proved once more that they too, if it is within their interests, can be happy with “virtual reality” (just like our Public TV). They do not give a s**t about democracy, human rights…
If we witness bloodshed or violence in Armenia, there will be blood on EU’s and US’s hands too.
It’s fourth day of mass protests in Armenia’s capital Yerevan against massive violations of people’s right to vote during presidential elections. You would have thought that Public TV of Armenia would cover these events. But the ‘reality’ Public TV wants to present to its audiences is “virtual reality”, as someone sharply noted.
When protests were held in Tbilisi, they were showing live reports from there, with detailed info on what’s going on. When things are happening in Armenia? - absolutely nothing! It’s getting pretty ridiculous when Public TV - sustained by tax payers money - either provide extremely biased information or no information at all. Take for example yesterday. In their main news programme “Haylur” they did not show report from mass demonstrations of tens of thousands of people in the centre of Yerevan. Instead, for few second, they mentioned that the rally was taking place and then for 5 minutes presented a report about a group of people who allegedly trying to come to Yerevan to ‘defend their votes for prime minister’ but 'stopped by police to avoid clashes'.
It is a total disgrace towards profession of journalists. If there are honest journalists remained in Public TV’s information unit, they have two choices – either by defying orders show real reality in Armenia or resign.
If democratic movement in Armenia succeeds, one of the first priorities should be to guarantee media freedom and to ensure that Armenians have Public TV not only by name but by essence.
More than two-dozen prominent Armenians in the Diaspora have signed a statement supporting equality and justice for all in Armenia. Among th...
Quote of the moment
Մարտիրոս Սարյան: "Իմ կարծիքով, մեզ՝ որպես արևելյան ժողովրդի, չափազանց կպատշաճեր բազմագույն դրոշը, որն ի հայտ է բերում ինքը` չքնաղ և հավերժ գեղեցիկ ծիածանը:"(source)
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