Armenian opposition members and supporters staged a protest outside the headquarters of Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party in Yerevan late on Monday, chanting “Armenia without Civil Contract!”.
Opposition MPs accused the ruling party of inciting hatred and splitting the country.
"The Civil Contract party has turned into the Civil War party at the bloody hands of Nikol Pashinyan. In addition to political repressions, you have now resorted to politically motivated murders,” said one of the protesters who marched towards the area from Yerevan’s central France Square.
“I would like to warn you that through Pashinyan's efforts you will consign yourself to the dustbin of history and will be remembered as the people who encouraged the killings of Armenians and divided the people. We stand united in our efforts to establish peace in the country," the activist said.
The protest comes after Sunday’s deadly shooting in the village of Nigavan, which reportedly involved relatives of a pro-government lawmaker and a cousin of Deputy Governor of Aragatsotn Province Edgar Parvanyan. Two people were killed and five others were injured as a result of the shooting which the police say was the follow-up of a “purely domestic” conflict and had no political subtext.
"The murder in Nigavan is a vivid example that they will not stop until we grab their hand. They will not stop, for blood is their symbol. They carry death and spread Armenophobia,” opposition Hayastan bloc MP Asprum Krpeyan said.
Afterwards, the activists doused the area with red paint and threw toy guns and leaflets on the ground, chanting “Nikol, murderer!” and “Traitor, go away!".