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WHAT HAPPENED IN VANADZOR, WHEN…
[06:30 pm] 07 February, 2008

The city of Vanadzor was getting ready for the meeting
with the presidential candidate Serge Sargsyan with
particular responsibility. The roads to `Hayki’ Square
were closed since 13:00. Schools were over earlier
than usual. Buses and mini buses to Vanazdor were free
of charge from 13:00 to 18:00.

People were moved from the close villages to Vanadzor
by mini buses. Employees of state institutions in
Vanadzor were compelled to be present in the Square
and participate in the gathering.

The presence of the employees was checked right in the
Square by marking their names. Each institution
occupied a particular space in the Square holding
posters of the candidate. Even the students of
Vanadzor branch of Yerevan State Architectural
University, who were on vacation till 1 March, were
warned beforehand to come and participate in the
meeting. The students of Vanadzor branch of `Mkhitar
Gosh’ Armenian-Russian International University were
also in the Square.

Although the meeting was due at 14:45, the Prime
Minister had not arrived at 16:30. The singers of the
Armenian show business were entertaining the
participants of the meeting, before the candidate.

The information is provided by the Vanadzor Office of
Helsinki Civil Assembly.