Armenia: Activists to demonstrate in Yerevan May 9

Activists plan to protest in Yerevan on the afternoon of May 9. The purpose of the demonstration is to denounce a border demarcation agreement with Azerbaijan. Organizers have been marching towards Yerevan in recent days, and say that they will hold a rally and deliver a list of demands to government officials upon their arrival. As of May 6, organizers were in Hrazdan, approximately 50 km (31 miles) northeast of Yerevan; significant numbers of demonstrators have joined protesters in recent days as they marched through towns, and heavy law enforcement presences have been reported near the march. It is likely that significant crowds will join the rallies in Yerevan. While the exact protest location remains unclear, likely locations include the National Assembly of Armenia on Marshall Baghramyan Avenue, the Government of the Republic of Armenia building on Melik Adamyan Street, and the Residence of the President on Mesrop Mashtoc Street.

Heightened security and localized transport disruptions are likely near the protest. Confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement officers, potentially escalating to clashes, are possible. Disruptions on highways northeast of Yerevan, particularly the H1, H5, and the Yerevan-Sevan Highway are possible between May 6-9, as these are the most likely routes march participants will use to approach Yerevan.