Saturday Summary: A day of unrest continues toward evening

More details can be found in the articles below as we continue to follow a day of disturbing unrest . . .

Early this morning law enforcement stormed Liberty Square to break up an ongoing demonstration by supporters of presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

Thousands of oppositionists have held daily rallies there since February 20, the day after Armenia’s presidential election which was determined in favor of Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan. The voting day was marred with violence at polling stations and widespread reports of fraud, leading to the protests that have grown in size for the past 10 days. Hundreds of oppositionists, including the former president himself, had set up camp in Liberty Square where they held nightly vigils.

Police, special forces, and other law enforcement carrying tear-gas equipment, wielding batons and some wearing black masks and carrying automatic weapons took over the square. Oppositionists fought back with clubs. There were no reports of gunfire.

By about 8 a.m. news of the conflict had spread and crowds began to gather at the scene. As the crowds grew, skirmishes broke out and dozens were beaten by police, some brutally. There are no reports of fatalities. The Ministry of Health reports that 31 people had been hospitalized by early afternoon, including 6 policemen.

Though not officially arrested, Ter-Petrosyan was taken to his home by Armenia’s presidential security guard where he has been isolated and surrounded by police, not allowed to leave.

Meanwhile, his supporters have gathered near the French Embassy in Yerevan in mass numbers larger than any crowds seen here since Ter-Petrosyan and others started the “Karabakh Movement” almost exactly 20 years ago.

As of this report, ArmeniaNow journalists on the scene note that police have left the area, apparently overwhelmed by the size of the crowd. While Ter-Petrosyan remains under restraint, oppositionist leader Stepan Demirchyan has joined the masses of protestors.

John Hughes
ArmeniaNow editor