HUNDREDS GATHER IN ARMENIA TO PROTEST ELECTION RESULTS AFTER STATE OF EMERGENCY LIFTED

The Associated Press
March 21, 2008

YEREVAN, Armenia: Hundreds of people are taking to the streets of
Armenia’s capital to protest election results after the government
lifted a state of emergency.

The opposition supporters are gathering in small groups Friday,
apparently to avoid provoking a police crackdown after authorities
denied them permission to hold a rally.

Public gatherings were banned during the 20-day state of emergency that
ended at midnight Thursday. It was imposed by the government following
clashes between police and protesters that left eight people dead.

The opposition claims the government rigged Armenia’s Feb. 19
presidential election in favor of Prime Minister Serge Sarkisian,
who is to be inaugurated next month.