Yesterday the police hindered the march held by the young activists of the Armenian National Congress, causing a scuffle. On February 19 was the second anniversary of the tragic events of presidential elections 2008. Because of the occasion several hundred young people held a protest rally in downtown Yerevan. The march reached the building of the Central Electoral Commission from the ANC office located on Koryun street. At the intersection of Abobyan and Sayat-Nova streets the protesters made an attempt to break through a police cordon. The police appealed to the participants to finish the march. Around the corner of the CEC, on Koryun Street, the red berets attacked the participants of the march. As a result, six activists, including the son of the editor of the Haykakan Zhamanak Haik Gevorgyan named Vahagn, were taken to the police station, and Sargis Ghazaryan was taken to Grigor Lusavorich hospital. The policemen released the protesters in 10 minutes. Further on, near the ANC office, the police arrested another 5 activists, including Vahagn Gevorgyan. Protesters’ inquiries about the arrested activists were met with silence. Following this incident, the Armenian National Congress made a statement condemning the unlawful action of the police, which assaulted the activists instead of guaranteeing their security. It is obvious that this activation of the police is connected with the upcoming rally to take place on March 1. During the past several months the ANC activists were holding various rallies and actions every Friday in Yerevan. During these actions the police would just mildly interfere. However, this time the police and the red beret officers were ordered to demonstrate force to intimidate people closer to March 1. And this happens in the case when the government and governmental media outlets always repeat that the reputation of the opposition is falling.
