Armenian police clear protesters

BBC
01-03-2008 10:43:06 – KarabakhOpen

Police in Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, have moved to clear demonstrators
camped out in the centre to protest at the presidential election
result. Scuffles broke out as police began forcing the demonstrators
on to buses after 10 days of protests against the alleged rigging of
the election.

Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian won the 19 February vote against
opposition challenger Levon Ter-Petrosian.

Outgoing leader Robert Kocharian said protesters were trying to
seize power.

Media kept away

International observers judged the poll in the ex-Soviet Caucasus
republic to be generally democratic.

Official results gave Mr Sarkisian 53% of the vote, with Mr
Ter-Petrosian, a former president, getting 21.5%.

Hundreds of police moved against the opposition camp on Freedom Square
early on Saturday, dispersing the few hundred protesters still there.

Media were kept away from the square as army lorries took away the
protesters’ tents.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress