22 Apr 2018 | 11:44 PM UTC
Armenia: Hundreds detained as Yerevan protests continue April 22 /update 6
Opposition protests continue in Yerevan April 22, with police detaining nearly 200 demonstrators; additional protests, clashes with police, and arrests expected in the coming days
Event
Opposition protests continued for a tenth consecutive day in Yerevan on Sunday, April 22, against the confirmation of former President Serzh Sargsyan as prime minister and demanding his resignation from office. Tens of thousands of protesters reportedly assembled at Republic Square after police apprehended protest leader Nikol Pashinyan as he led a protest march to Erebuni district on Sunday; talks between Pashinyan and Sargsyan had failed earlier in the day. Two other opposition lawmakers were also removed from a related protest and detained on Sunday, in addition to nearly 200 other demonstrators. Clashes reportedly broke out between protesters and police across the capital, with police forcibly dispersing demonstrations. Associated protests have also spread to several other areas in the country, according to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Additional related protests, clashes between protesters and police, arrests, and associated roadblocks and other transportation disruptions are expected in Yerevan and elsewhere in Armenia in the coming days.
Context
Related demonstrations have been taking place regularly in Yerevan since April 13. On April 21, thousands of demonstrators blocked streets during a march against the confirmation of former President Serzh Sargsyan as prime minister, and dozens were detained by police.
In December 2015, a controversial constitutional amendment was passed that changed Armenia's government from a semi-presidential system to a parliamentary republic. Under the new government, the president has a largely ceremonial role while the prime minister becomes more powerful. Opponents claim that the new system was designed to allow Sargsyan (first elected president in April 2008) to maintain control of the government following the end of his term on April 9. Opposition leaders have called for a "Velvet Revolution" in a bid to "preserve" democracy in the country.
Advice
Individuals present in Armenia, particularly in Yerevan, are advised to avoid all demonstrations due to the risk of violence, monitor the situation, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.
