03 Oct 2018 | 06:01 PM UTC
Armenia: Expected demonstrations outside National Assembly in Yerevan Oct. 3
Demonstrations expected to continue near the National Assembly on October 3; additional rallies in Yerevan and other urban centers likely in coming days
Event
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called for further demonstrations outside the National Assembly building in Yerevan on Wednesday, October 3, to protest lawmakers' attempts to block Pashinyan's plan to hold early elections later this year. Baghramyan Avenue near the National Assembly building is reportedly closed to traffic as of Wednesday evening (local time). Additional demonstrations and associated traffic disruptions are likely to persist in Yerevan and other cities in the coming days.
Context
Pashinyan was elected prime minister by parliament on May 8 after leading three weeks of anti-government protests that saw the ouster of Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan. Supporters of Pashinyan rallied in front of the National Assembly building on October 2 after parliament approved a bill effectively preventing any effort to dissolve the parliament and hold early elections. Related demonstrations have also been reported in other urban centers, including Gyumri.
Advice
Individuals present in Armenia, particularly in Yerevan, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, to allow for extra time to reach their destinations, and to avoid all demonstrations.
