Armenia: police detains sit-in protesters

Today, the police of Armenia prevented a sit-in protest action, which was planned by activists of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) in the Freedom Square of Yerevan. Policemen accompanied by "red berets" removed from the square to a police station not only activists of the opposition, but also journalists. The total of detainees was 15 persons.

Let us remind you that since May 28, after opening of the Freedom Square, which was closed for almost two years because of construction of the underground car park, oppositionists are trying to organize their sit-in protest actions there. This time activists demanded to ensure the right of free travel, release political prisoners and fulfil the decision of the European Court on the "А1+" TV Company.

About 50 ANC activists tried to return to the square; however, clashes burst out between them and "red berets" (special interior troops). Fights between ANC activists and policemen also took place near the monument to Saryan, as reported by the "Armenia Today" Agency.

Among the journalists brought to the police: Syuzanna Pogosyan, a correspondent of the "Aikakan Zhamanak" newspaper and journalist Lilit Tadevosyan. Among the detainees are also Liudmila Sarkisyan, leader of the "Gnchak" Social-Democratic Party, former political prisoner Vardkes Gaspari and others. Earlier, Mr Gaspari laid down on the sidewalk of Moshtots Avenue in protest.

The activists of the opposition were kept at the police for about three hours.

The press service of the police has reported that Vladimir Karapetyan, who is in charge for external relations of the ANC was brought to the police station "at about 8 p.m. in the Freedom Square he called citizens to organize and hold a non-sanctioned public action."

As to others oppositionists brought to the police, the latter stated that they cried out insults to policemen and "humiliated their honour and dignity in improper form."

While the police was preparing materials on the above incident, Vladimir Karapetyan and other ANC activists sent a communication to the General Public Prosecutor about the committed crime. In particular, they noted that "for three days in a row policemen and other persons in civil clothes interfered with free travel of citizens, did not allow holding a non-mass action and illegally brought them to the police station," the Radio Liberty reports.