Armenia holds protest actions, dated to arrival of NATO Secretary General

In Yerevan, about 500 persons took part in two protest actions, held in conjunction with the arrival of Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General of NATO. Young people protested in connection with extradition to Azerbaijan of Ramil Safarov, who was convicted by Hungarian court for murder of Armenian soldier Gurgen Margaryan.

Today, in Yerevan, the protest action was held at the presidential palace on the initiative of the youth wing of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation "Dashnaktsutyun". About 200 persons were chanting: "Shame! Justice!"

"In the first place, it is a shame of the international community, since till present I did hear any adequate assessment of the behaviour of both Hungary and Azerbaijan," said Samvel Beglaryan, a participant of the protest action.

"The crime occurred during the stay of officers in Budapest at English language courses, organized within the framework of the NATO programme "Partnership for Peace". NATO failed to ensure the safety for the participants of its programme," stressed Vigen Saroyan, another protestor.

Taron Beglaryan, a participant of the protest action, argues that "most officials finish with traditional diplomatic wording."

According to the protestor, even President Obama, expressing his concern over the incident occurred, emphasizes that "such action contradicts reduction of regional tension and does not contribute to reconciliation."

At the same time, the protestor has noted that Nikolai Bordyuzha, Secretary General of CSTO, and Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General of NATO, produced rather tough response.

"Let's hope that Rasmussen will adhere to his categorical statements during his speeches in Baku within his regional visit," Taron Beglaryan said.

On the same day, there was a meeting of Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General of NATO, with students and teachers of the Yerevan State University.

In the yard of the Yerevan State University, about 300 students organized a protest action with posters reading: "Law is same for all", "We demand adequate response of NATO", "Blood=oil", "Hungary is worth 2 billion, and NATO?", "Azerbaijan spat on world community". The students were chanting the slogans "Shame!" and "We demand justice!" and sang patriotic songs. The activists demanded immediate equitable decisions with regard to Safarov.

It should be noted that during the meeting with the students and teachers of the Yerevan State University, Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that pardon, granted by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev to Ramil Safarov, did not contribute to peace in the region.

At the exit of the building, the participants of the protest action booed the General Secretary.