ARMENIA TO END STATE OF EMERGENCY
By Matthew Collin

BBC News
7306859.stm
2008/03/20 13:51:41 GMT

A state of emergency imposed in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, after
clashes between protesters and riot police left eight dead is to
be lifted.

The Armenian authorities have also confirmed that more than 100
opposition activists are now being held on charges of causing unrest
and plotting a coup.

The clashes on 1 March took place when police tried to end more than
a week of mass protests against election results.

The opposition claims the presidential poll results were falsified.

The number of arrests has been rising steadily throughout the month,
as the Armenian authorities round up the people they believe were
responsible for the violence.

Those detained so far include several members of parliament and a
former foreign minister. The opposition has accused the government
of trying to crush political dissent in Armenia.

Protest ban

The opposition leader, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, has vowed to continue
his campaign to overturn the presidential election results as soon
as the state of emergency is lifted. The polls gave victory to his
bitter rival, the current prime minister, Serzh Sarkisian.

A new law was passed this week giving the authorities the right to
ban demonstrations, if it is believed they will pose a threat to
public order.

But the opposition insists it had the right to defy what it describes
as a violation of people’s freedom and has said it will find a way
to work around the legislation.

After strong international pressure the state of emergency is coming
to an end but the political situation in Armenia remains tense and
deeply divided.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress