Several detained, as people in Yerevan take to the streets again

Protests have resumed in Yerevan today in the morning. Initiated by Nikol Pashinyan, oppositionist MP, leader of #MyStep movement, protests and civil disobedience actions are aimed against election of Serzh Sargsyan, the ex-president, leader of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) as prime minister.

Pashinyan and his supporters are marching along city center chanting “Take a Step, Reject Serzh!” and calling the people to join them and dictate their will to the government. Yesterday, Pashinyan announced a start of a “Velvet Revolution” and urged protesters to block governmental buildings.

The police have already removed wired fencing from the avenue, where buildings of the parliament, president’s compound, and the Constitutional Court are located, but deployed Police cordon instead. Some protesters were detained in the Square of France, as they tried to block Mashtots Avenue.

Pashinyan urged both protesters and police to avoid tensions, provocations and clashes, and demanded everyone to take off their face covers, if they wear one. He told the people the detained protesters will be set free soon, according to some arrangements.

To recall, protesters planned to block the avenue leading to the parliament building on April 17 to prevent voting for Serzh Sargsyan’s election as prime minister. However, the Police took unprecedented measures to lead parliamentarians into the building and ensure the voting. The parliament was surrounded with police, special equipment and wired fencing from all sides.