Tweet
TWO ARMENIAN MPS ARRESTED AFTER UNREST: POLICE
Macau Daily Times
http://www.macaudailytimesnews.com/index.php ?option=com_content&task=view&id=7827& Itemid=33
March 4 2008
Macau
Two pro-opposition Armenian lawmakers have been arrested for allegedly
attempting a coup d'etat following violent clashes in the ex-Soviet
country that left eight dead, police said yesterday.
Deputy Miasnik Malkhasian was arrested for "attempting to seize
power," the press service of the Armenian police said. A source in
the security services said that deputy Hakob Hokopian was arrested
on the same charge.
The two were arrested overnight Sunday, police said.
The opposition immediately denounced the arrests.
"This is a new step in the violence the authorities are using against
the opposition to deprive it of its leadership," said Arman Musinian,
a spokesman for opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian.
The two deputies had defected to Ter-Petrosian's camp after being
elected as members of the ruling Republican Party.
Seven civilians and one police officer were killed Saturday and dozens
injured when 11 days of protests at the result of a presidential
election erupted into violence.
Outgoing President Robert Kocharian imposed a 20-day state of emergency
in the capital following the unrest. It bans public demonstrations and
requires the media to put out only information from government sources.
Police used tear gas and fired live ammunition into the air Saturday
in an attempt to disperse several thousand protesters, who fought
back with petrol bombs, sticks and stones.
The opposition claims the election was rigged to ensure victory for
Kocharian's handpicked successor, Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian.
Europe's main election monitoring body, the Organisation for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said the election had "mostly"
met international standards.
Police continued to prevent Ter-Petrosian, the runner-up and a former
president, from leaving his home yesterday. Ter-Petrosian has been
confined there since Saturday by his state-assigned security detail,
which authorities say is acting out of concern for his safety.
The capital was relatively calm yesterday but dozens of soldiers and
armoured personnel carriers continued to guard government buildings.
Army chief of staff Seiran Oganian warned in televised comments Sunday
that fresh protests would be met with "a severe response."
The United States, United Nations and European Union have called for
calm and talks between the government and opposition. The OSCE has
sent a special envoy to Armenia to promote negotiations.
Official results in February gave 52.9 percent of the vote to Sarkisian
and 21.5 percent to Ter-Petrosian.
Macau Daily Times
http://www.macaudailytimesnews.com/index.php ?option=com_content&task=view&id=7827& Itemid=33
March 4 2008
Macau
Two pro-opposition Armenian lawmakers have been arrested for allegedly
attempting a coup d'etat following violent clashes in the ex-Soviet
country that left eight dead, police said yesterday.
Deputy Miasnik Malkhasian was arrested for "attempting to seize
power," the press service of the Armenian police said. A source in
the security services said that deputy Hakob Hokopian was arrested
on the same charge.
The two were arrested overnight Sunday, police said.
The opposition immediately denounced the arrests.
"This is a new step in the violence the authorities are using against
the opposition to deprive it of its leadership," said Arman Musinian,
a spokesman for opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian.
The two deputies had defected to Ter-Petrosian's camp after being
elected as members of the ruling Republican Party.
Seven civilians and one police officer were killed Saturday and dozens
injured when 11 days of protests at the result of a presidential
election erupted into violence.
Outgoing President Robert Kocharian imposed a 20-day state of emergency
in the capital following the unrest. It bans public demonstrations and
requires the media to put out only information from government sources.
Police used tear gas and fired live ammunition into the air Saturday
in an attempt to disperse several thousand protesters, who fought
back with petrol bombs, sticks and stones.
The opposition claims the election was rigged to ensure victory for
Kocharian's handpicked successor, Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian.
Europe's main election monitoring body, the Organisation for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said the election had "mostly"
met international standards.
Police continued to prevent Ter-Petrosian, the runner-up and a former
president, from leaving his home yesterday. Ter-Petrosian has been
confined there since Saturday by his state-assigned security detail,
which authorities say is acting out of concern for his safety.
The capital was relatively calm yesterday but dozens of soldiers and
armoured personnel carriers continued to guard government buildings.
Army chief of staff Seiran Oganian warned in televised comments Sunday
that fresh protests would be met with "a severe response."
The United States, United Nations and European Union have called for
calm and talks between the government and opposition. The OSCE has
sent a special envoy to Armenia to promote negotiations.
Official results in February gave 52.9 percent of the vote to Sarkisian
and 21.5 percent to Ter-Petrosian.