Opposition gives up street actions in Stepanakert

In Nagorno-Karabakh, actions of the opposition against corruption failed to attract a large number of supporters. The "My Right" movement decided to suspend its street protests until residents of Nagorno-Karabakh exhibit interest in fighting for their rights.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 29, activists of the oppositional "My Right" movement blocked Vazgen Sargsyan Street in Stepanakert, and then marched to Freedom Square and blocked it too. Protesters demanded from the President of Nagorno-Karabakh to report about loans issued to officials, since in recent years more than 95 billion drams (about USD 182.5 million) were provided in the form of bank loans under state guarantees to a narrow circle of officials and oligarchs, Arthur Osipyan, the leader of the "My Right" movement, has stated.

On April 30, Arthur Osipyan has written in his Facebook that street actions will continue if the number of protesters increases compared to the April 29 action.

"There are more than 200 people who are present directly at the protest action. But if this number doesn't increase, and the people who support us and follow the progress of the actions on the Internet fail to demonstrate their consciousness and understand that it is necessary to really fight in the name of justice, then I see no need to continue protest actions and put forward demands. Because authorities will not move until there are more protesters," Mr Osipyan said live on air.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 30, 2021 at 07:45 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.