ARMENIAN POLICE DETERMINED TO PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED OPPOSITION RALLY
Interfax News Agency
June 19 2008
Russia
Police in Armenia said they would not allow the opposition to stage
an unauthorized rally in the center of Yerevan on June 20.
"The Armenian police will not tolerate any rally near the Matenadaran
museum and research center of ancient manuscripts, because this rally
has not be authorized by the Yerevan government," Armenian Police First
Deputy Head Armen Yeritsian said at a news conference on Thursday.
But the city authorities had allowed the opposition to hold a rally
at the Razdan stadium on the city limits, he said.
"Police have received intelligence suggesting that mass disturbances
are being planned at tomorrow’s rally. Our response will be rigorous. I
am urging all to be vigilant. And I state that police are ready to
prevent mass disturbances, as instructed," Yeritsian said.
Police units have been provided with special gear, he added.
Earlier reports said that the city authorities had allowed the
opposition to stage a rally at the Razdan stadium and banned a planned
rally on the central Freedom Square and near the museum of ancient
manuscripts. But opposition representatives claimed the rally on June
20 would be held near Matenadaran any way.
The event is being organized by the Armenian Pan-National Movement,
led by ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosian.