After talk with authorities, opponents of community enlargement in Armenia refuse to unblock road

The residents of the Armenian villages of Tsovagyukh and Semyonovka, who protest against the merge of their villages to the community of Sevan, have refused to unblock the highway, despite the request of the governor of the Gegarkunik Region. The villagers said they would seek a meeting with the Minister for Territorial Administration and Infrastructures.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 24, 2021, the Armenian Parliament adopted draft amendments to enlarge 69 communities. The inclusion of the villages of Tsovagyukh and Semyonovka into the community of Sevan created problems for the villagers, the protesters have stated.

The oppositional MPs claimed that the amendment bill was contrary to the Constitution; and its goal was to get rid of the heads of communities who are in opposition to the authorities. On September 16, 2021, villagers of the Gegarkunik Region blocked the Sotk-Vardenis highway, demanding to cancel the decision to merge the Gegamasar community with Vardenis. They expressed fear that the enlargement of the community would lead to an outflow of the population from the border zone.

Karen Sargsyan, the regional governor, has met Tsovagyukh and Semyonovka villagers, the "Para.tv" has reported.

One of protesters said that Sargsyan called on them to unblock the highway and give him two days to discuss and resolve the problem. At the same time, the minister has added that "the communities have already been enlarged; and the decision cannot be changed."