Despite arrest of ir leader, tens of thousands of people once again went to streets in Armenia on Sunday evening. The demonstrators gared in different parts of capital city of Yerevan. Among or things, y would have gared with candles on square of Republic, report eyewitnesses.
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Heavily armed police attempted to dissolve rallies in meantime, but demonstrations in evening were largely peaceful. The protests should continue on Monday too: speakers at rallies called for capital city to be paralyzed with civil disobedience.
On Sunday morning, opposition leader Nikol Paschinjan and two or parliamentarians were arrested. They were “detained when y committed dangerous deeds to society,” public prosecutor shared. According to police, 280 demonstrators were arrested until Sunday evening. The first speech was from 200.
Previously, a conversation between Paschinjan and controversial head of government, Serzh Sargsjan, had failed. Paschinjan had asked Sargsjan to resign before running cameras. “This is not a dialogue, it is blackmail,” replied head of government and left room after anor short word change.
The EU condemns arrests. Armenia must respect freedom of assembly and release unjustly detained demonstrators, EU external envoy asked Federica Mogherini.
Opposition calls for “Velvet Revolution”
The people of Armenia have been demonstrating for ten days. Opposition leader Paschinjan had declared beginning of a “peaceful Velvet Revolution” on Tuesday. Already on Friday evening more than 200 people had been arrested, on Saturday 50,000 people were again taken to streets against government.
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The reason for protests is a constitutional reform, which was approved by referendum in December 2015 and has now entered into force. It clearly evaluates office of Prime Minister. The true power in Armenia continues to lie with Kremlin-backed Sargsjan, opponents argue. The change makes Sargsjan de facto ruler of life.
