Armenian human rights defenders support Soros Foundation

The movement "Veto", which members hold rallies in front of the Soros Foundation office in Yerevan, is backed by supporters of the former government who stand against democratic values, human rights defenders state.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 28, the Yerevan office of the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation announced harassment from members of the movement "Veto".

On September 30, Armenian human rights defenders and activists held a rally in support of the Yerevan office of the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation (Soros Foundation). Levon Barsegyan, the head of the Gyumri "Asparez" Journalists' Club, urged his colleagues to gather in front of the Soros Foundation office and "play backgammon and chess."

According to Levon Barsegyan, the movement "Veto" is backed by supporters of Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan.

Human rights defender Arthur Sakunts called the actions organized by the movement "Veto" a challenge to democratic values. "If there weren't Soros, they would have come up with another image of an enemy," the human rights defender said.

In Armenia, a process has begun which does not suit the earlier corrupt system, says Daniel Ionesyan, a programme coordinator for the public organization "Union of Informed Citizens". According to him, the movement "Veto" is affiliated with the former political elite and opposes democratic changes.