Armenian opposition confirms intention to hold banned rally

AP Online
Apr 08, 2004

Opposition parties said they will ignore a ban by authorities and hold
a major rally in the Armenian capital on Friday.

“By banning public events, harassing journalists and unlawfully
detaining people, all the regime is doing is proving that is
illegitimate and weak,” said Albert Bazeyan, one of the leaders of the
opposition Justice party.

Nearly 8,000 demonstrators rallied in the center of Yerevan on Monday
seeking the ouster of President Robert Kocharian.

Opposition leaders have promised an even bigger demonstration for
Friday, although the city has banned the gathering.

More than 100 participants in Monday’s rally reportedly have been
detained and many sentenced up to a week in jail. State Obdusman
Larisa Alaverdyan has appealed to the president to stop the arrests.

Kocharian won a second term in presidential elections a year ago that
sparked mass protests, including nearly daily demonstrations between
the first round of voting in February 2003 and the runoff in early
March.

Opposition groups alleged widespread violations in both rounds of the
election, which was followed by a parliamentary ballot in which the
pro-government party won the most votes.

In April, Armenia’s Constitutional Court confirmed the results of the
presidential vote but suggested that a referendum be held within a
year to gauge the public’s confidence in the nation’s
leaders. Opposition leaders have pressed for the plebiscite.