CLASHES IN YEREVAN DESTABILIZE SITUATION IN ARMENIA

ARKA
March 12, 2008

YEREVAN, March 12. /ARKA/. The initiators of the recent clashes in
Yerevan planned to destabilize the country’s situation, according
to Vahag Harutyunyan, investigator of the RA Special Investigation
Service (SIS).

"The organizers tried to achieve their goal by creating an atmosphere
of ochlocracy and provoking clashes," he said.

The special investigation group has carefully analyzed the internal
political situation on March 1-2. Some of the initiators of the
clashes are accused of mass riots, illegal possession of arms,
ammunition and explosives, as well as of encroachment and use of
violence against authorities.

He pointed out that many servicemen and policemen injured during the
clashes are involved in the case.

According to Harutyunyan, the investigation has shown that the clashes
aimed at a forceful takeover of the country’s political power. The
protesters were divided into groups to resist policemen and servicemen.

Since February 20 rallies, sit-ins and student walkouts had been
held by the opposition leader RA ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosian in
the center of Yerevan. The protesters accused Kocharian’s ally and
Prime Minister Serge Sargsian of rigging the presidential election
last month.

Armenian President Robert Kocharian declared a state of emergency on
March 1after a day of clashes between police and protesters.

MPs Khachatur Sukiasyan, Sasun Mikaelyan and editor of the Haikakan
Zhamanak opposition paper Nikol Pashinyan are wanted by the
police.