POLICE TRIED TO PREVENT APRIL 24 PROCESSION OF OPPOSITION, RUZAN KHACHATRIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
April 25, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Policemen tried to prevent in every way
the mourning procession of the opposition and to hinder the movement
of procession participants on April 24, member of People’a Party of
Armenia (PPA) board Ruzan Khachatrian said. She told NT correspondent
that police neiher stopped traffic nor closed streets, as is usually
done during processions with participation of many people and which was
actually done at the April 23 torchlight procession organized by ARF
"Nikol Abelyan" youth union. "A civilized way of ensuring security
of the procession could have been chosen but the authorities are so
frightened that they consider even a gathering of over 5 people as
dangerous," she said.

As for some press publications that the opposition used April 24
to stage a protest, PPA member asked a response question: "Was it
correct to hold an inauguration ceremony with a military parade and
a concert with ballons on the 40th day after death of the March 1
victims?" In her words, the authorities and the progovernment press
use double standards both in terms of ensuring security of processions
and respecting moral values.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress