Clashes erupt between opposition activists, police in Yerevan

Clashes broke out between police and opposition activists at a rally in Yerevan on Tuesday, as the latter tried to block all the entrances to the National Assembly building at the urging of Vazgen Manukyan, the prime ministerial candidate of the opposition Homeland Salvation Movement.

“We are blocking the building of the National Assembly,” Manukyan told protesters on Baghramyan Avenue.

Demonstrators tried to block the entrance to the parliament building from the side of Demirchyan Street, but police began to obstruct them. Clashes erupted between police officers and activists, with police starting to push the citizens back.

“We call on police not to succumb to provocations, we are not trying to enter the National Assembly, we simply continue our disobedience action,” ARF member Ishkhan Saghatelyan said.

However, police proceeded to push protesters back, including representatives of the media.

“The police have resorted to provocations,” Saghatelyan added.

Protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his cabinet continue the rally, chanting “Nikol the traitor!”, “Armenia without Nikol!” and “Nation, army, victory!”.