Yerevan holds action against construction near Katogike Church

The youth organization named "Ima" has held an action in Yerevan against the construction planned near the Katogike Church. The protesters demanded to hold an open contest of projects and public hearings on the programme of the district build-up.

The current project assumes to build the St Anne Church near the Katogike Church, and a few meters away - a three-story Yerevan residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians. The construction work has already begun. The ceremony of laying the foundation of St Anna Church was held on April 30.

The protesters demanded to immediately stop the illegal, in their opinion, construction.

The organizers of the event have disseminated a statement, which reads: "The new project aims to build, near the small Katogike Church, the St Anne Church, which is dozens of times larger than the first one. The new church and the residence will occupy quite a large area and completely overshadow the Katogike Church with its modest architecture."

The appeal to city residents to join the action noted that the Katogike Church was built in the 13th century. It "resisted earthquakes and Soviet 'meat grinder', but today it is in danger," the edition "tert.am" quotes the disseminated statement.

Hundreds of young people joined the action with posters in their hands "I don't want residence, I want park!", "One Catholicos - one residence!", "No to disfigurement of Katogike!", "We don't need sacred skyscraper!", the "Epress.am" reports.

See earlier report: "Illegal tree felling continues in Yerevan, ecologists assert".