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Reuters
March 1 2009
Armenian protesters mark year since deadly riots
Sun Mar 1, 2009 10:02am EST
* Rally to remember dead protesters
* Opposition leader demands early elections
* President lights candles in memory of dead
By Hasmik Lazarian
YEREVAN, March 1 (Reuters) - At least 10,000 anti-government
protesters in Armenia on Sunday demanded early elections at a
demonstration to mark one year since deadly clashes between police and
opposition activists in the former Soviet republic.
Rights groups and the Armenian opposition accuse President Serzh
Sarksyan and his government of pursuing politically motivated trials
over the unrest and failing to investigate accusations the police used
excessive force.
The violence followed the election of Sarksyan in a vote the
opposition said was rigged. Ten people died, including two police
officers. More than 100 people were arrested during a state of
emergency imposed after the violence.
The crowd in Yerevan held a minute's silence and carried banners
calling for early elections and "Freedom for political prisoners."
Riot police looked on as protesters chanted "Victory!" and "Freedom!"
"The authorities have drawn no conclusions from these tragic events
and have done nothing to establish democracy in the country," said
opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Sarksyan's challenger in the
election.
"Despite constant pressure from the government, the people are
stronger, are not frightened and are ready to continue the struggle,"
Ter-Petrosyan told the crowd. He promised another demonstration in
May.
Yerevan's mayor had denied permission for demonstrators to gather in
the city centre, but the protest went ahead after talks with the
police.
Armenia's next parliamentary election is due in 2012 and the
presidential vote in 2013.
OPPOSITION FIGURES ON TRIAL
The country's leaders say they want to build a European-style
democracy and have won Western praise for allowing contested
elections. But opponents say it is a facade and the country is ruled
by a clique.
Armenia is considered Russia's closest ally in the volatile South
Caucasus, but it has also pursued ties with NATO.
"This is a chance to change something here," said protester Artush
Dazikyan, a 53-year-old worker.
Demonstrators marched through the capital and laid flowers at the spot
where the worst clashes took place.
More than 50 people received jail sentences for the violence. A number
have since been pardoned but several senior opposition figures,
including a former foreign minister, remain on trial. The authorities
accused the opposition of trying to overthrow the government.
Western election monitors said the vote was broadly in line with the
country's international commitments but that further improvements were
necessary.
The president's office said on Sunday Sarksyan had lit candles at a
church in Yerevan in memory of those killed.
New York-based Human Rights Watch on Wednesday accused Armenia of
conducting "politically motivated" trials while ignoring evidence of
excessive use of force and ill-treatment of detainees. (Writing by
Matt Robinson in Tbilisi; Editing by Matthew Jones)
March 1 2009
Armenian protesters mark year since deadly riots
Sun Mar 1, 2009 10:02am EST
* Rally to remember dead protesters
* Opposition leader demands early elections
* President lights candles in memory of dead
By Hasmik Lazarian
YEREVAN, March 1 (Reuters) - At least 10,000 anti-government
protesters in Armenia on Sunday demanded early elections at a
demonstration to mark one year since deadly clashes between police and
opposition activists in the former Soviet republic.
Rights groups and the Armenian opposition accuse President Serzh
Sarksyan and his government of pursuing politically motivated trials
over the unrest and failing to investigate accusations the police used
excessive force.
The violence followed the election of Sarksyan in a vote the
opposition said was rigged. Ten people died, including two police
officers. More than 100 people were arrested during a state of
emergency imposed after the violence.
The crowd in Yerevan held a minute's silence and carried banners
calling for early elections and "Freedom for political prisoners."
Riot police looked on as protesters chanted "Victory!" and "Freedom!"
"The authorities have drawn no conclusions from these tragic events
and have done nothing to establish democracy in the country," said
opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Sarksyan's challenger in the
election.
"Despite constant pressure from the government, the people are
stronger, are not frightened and are ready to continue the struggle,"
Ter-Petrosyan told the crowd. He promised another demonstration in
May.
Yerevan's mayor had denied permission for demonstrators to gather in
the city centre, but the protest went ahead after talks with the
police.
Armenia's next parliamentary election is due in 2012 and the
presidential vote in 2013.
OPPOSITION FIGURES ON TRIAL
The country's leaders say they want to build a European-style
democracy and have won Western praise for allowing contested
elections. But opponents say it is a facade and the country is ruled
by a clique.
Armenia is considered Russia's closest ally in the volatile South
Caucasus, but it has also pursued ties with NATO.
"This is a chance to change something here," said protester Artush
Dazikyan, a 53-year-old worker.
Demonstrators marched through the capital and laid flowers at the spot
where the worst clashes took place.
More than 50 people received jail sentences for the violence. A number
have since been pardoned but several senior opposition figures,
including a former foreign minister, remain on trial. The authorities
accused the opposition of trying to overthrow the government.
Western election monitors said the vote was broadly in line with the
country's international commitments but that further improvements were
necessary.
The president's office said on Sunday Sarksyan had lit candles at a
church in Yerevan in memory of those killed.
New York-based Human Rights Watch on Wednesday accused Armenia of
conducting "politically motivated" trials while ignoring evidence of
excessive use of force and ill-treatment of detainees. (Writing by
Matt Robinson in Tbilisi; Editing by Matthew Jones)