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DECISION 2013: HOVANNISIAN SUPPORTERS CONVERGING IN YEREVAN SQUARE FOR POSSIBLE POST-ELECTION SHOWDOWN
VOTE 2013 | 21.02.13 | 12:44
Photolure
By GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
Despite snow and sleet in Yerevan this morning citizens have been
converging in the Armenian capital's Liberty Square for what might
be a post-election showdown between opposition leader and official
runner-up in the Monday presidential election Raffi Hovannisian and
official president-elect, incumbent head of state Serzh Sargsyan
later this afternoon.
Hovannisian supporters who have been gathering in the square before
the start of the rally scheduled after midday (ahead of a possible
political gathering of Sargsyan's Republican Party of Armenia in
the same venue) were giving assurances that they were determined to
continue their struggle and expected the incumbent to "hand over"
power to the people - as demanded by Hovannisian.
Hovannisian and thousands of his supporters have already held two
rallies in the square - a traditional place for political gatherings
disputing election results in Armenia - and yesterday he said he was
ready for a "lengthy" struggle. He also said he was going to spend
the night in the square and invited those of his supporters who felt
like doing the same to join him.
Civic activist, writer Bayandour Poghosyan, who spent the night
together with Hovannisian, told ArmeniaNow that during the whole night
they guarded the flag of the Republic of Armenia which, she said,
"once again symbolizes the victory of the citizen of Armenia over
the criminal regime and oligarchy."
"The citizens of Armenia have made their choice, and I have come
to stand next to the citizens. We are going to stand up to the end,
till victory," said Poghosyan, adding that no matter what, the fight
will be peaceful and lawful.
However, Sargsyan's ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) has not
yet confirmed its plans to go ahead with the rally, with some of its
members hinting at a possible rescheduling to avoid a possible clash.
In an interview with Yerkir.am, deputy chairman of the RPA Galust
Sahakyan said that "in fact, our rally has become a desire of
adventure-seekers who are trying to mislead the people."
"In such conditions we do not want to play into the hands of
individuals who want there to be victims," added the senior RPA member.
Post-election rallies led by ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosyan in 2008
ended in deadly clashes between his supporters and security personnel
in which 10 people, including eight civilians, were killed.
From: A. Papazian
VOTE 2013 | 21.02.13 | 12:44
Photolure
By GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
Despite snow and sleet in Yerevan this morning citizens have been
converging in the Armenian capital's Liberty Square for what might
be a post-election showdown between opposition leader and official
runner-up in the Monday presidential election Raffi Hovannisian and
official president-elect, incumbent head of state Serzh Sargsyan
later this afternoon.
Hovannisian supporters who have been gathering in the square before
the start of the rally scheduled after midday (ahead of a possible
political gathering of Sargsyan's Republican Party of Armenia in
the same venue) were giving assurances that they were determined to
continue their struggle and expected the incumbent to "hand over"
power to the people - as demanded by Hovannisian.
Hovannisian and thousands of his supporters have already held two
rallies in the square - a traditional place for political gatherings
disputing election results in Armenia - and yesterday he said he was
ready for a "lengthy" struggle. He also said he was going to spend
the night in the square and invited those of his supporters who felt
like doing the same to join him.
Civic activist, writer Bayandour Poghosyan, who spent the night
together with Hovannisian, told ArmeniaNow that during the whole night
they guarded the flag of the Republic of Armenia which, she said,
"once again symbolizes the victory of the citizen of Armenia over
the criminal regime and oligarchy."
"The citizens of Armenia have made their choice, and I have come
to stand next to the citizens. We are going to stand up to the end,
till victory," said Poghosyan, adding that no matter what, the fight
will be peaceful and lawful.
However, Sargsyan's ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) has not
yet confirmed its plans to go ahead with the rally, with some of its
members hinting at a possible rescheduling to avoid a possible clash.
In an interview with Yerkir.am, deputy chairman of the RPA Galust
Sahakyan said that "in fact, our rally has become a desire of
adventure-seekers who are trying to mislead the people."
"In such conditions we do not want to play into the hands of
individuals who want there to be victims," added the senior RPA member.
Post-election rallies led by ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosyan in 2008
ended in deadly clashes between his supporters and security personnel
in which 10 people, including eight civilians, were killed.
From: A. Papazian