PRESS TV, Iran
March 9 2008

Armenia upholds election’s result
Sun, 09 Mar 2008 05:50:36

Armenia’s constitutional court rejects the allegations that the
presidential vote was rigged and stands by the electoral commission
decision.

"The constitutional court has decided to uphold the decision of the
Central Election Commission regarding the declaration of Serzh
Sarkisian as the president of Armenia," the court said in a
statement.

Opposition candidate and former president Levon Ter-Petrosian had
appealed to the court following his defeat in the February 19 vote to
Sarkisian, who was outgoing President Robert Kocharian’s handpicked
successor.

Opposition supporters claim the election was rigged to ensure
Sarkisian’s victory, while foreign observers said the vote was mostly
in line with international standards.

The Armenian capital Yerevan is under a state of emergency until
March 20 after eight people died in street battles between riot
police and opposition supporters. The violence also injured dozens,
many from gunshot wounds.