POLICE DETAIN 21 PEOPLE

ARMENPRESS
March 28, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 28, ARMENPRESS: Since March 21 when the government
lifted the state of emergency police and security officers have taken
to police stations 21 people for protesting against restrictions
imposed last week on public assemblies following violent clashes on
March 1 between police and opposition protesters.

The police said today 12 of them were taken to police in Yerevan and
9 in regions. A statement by police said five of them were detained,
2 were then arrested, one is being questioned and two others were asked
to confirm in writing they will not leave the town and were released.

The statement said 68 people have been subjected to various
administrative punishment this month. Police have found also a great
deal of weapons and ammunitions kept illegally and some weapons were
turned in voluntarily.

The statement said also police detained briefly some people for
organization of the so-called ‘public walks," when every evening
since the state of emergency was lifted several hundred opposition
activists and supporters have been walking on Northern Avenue,
a pedestrian street in the capital’s downtown.

The statement said these people were explained that their actions
are illegal.