Sargsyan Vows Tough Response to Ter-Petrossian Slurs

RFE/RL reports that the prime minister, Serge Sargsyan, has promised to “hold former President Levon Ter-Petrosian accountable for what he has called slanderous statements.” The response comes after months of accusations made publicly by Ter-Petrossian.

The former head of state also hinted at what many believe will be plans for street protests the day after the presidential vote regardless of its conduct or outcome.

Campaigning in small towns and villages in central Armenia last week, Ter-Petrosian implicitly accused Kocharian and Sarkisian of masterminding the 1999 killings in the Armenian parliament. He was particularly scathing about Sarkisian, describing the prime minister as a chronic gambler who would not hesitate to “pawn” his country in foreign casinos.

Kocharian scoffed at these allegations as he spoke to journalists in the resort town of Tsaghkadzor on Saturday. “You know, when such statements are made by a person who is not respected and feared at this point, they create a pathetic situation,” he said.

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Ter-Petrosian did not respond to Sarkisian’s and Kocharian’s statements on Monday as he rallied hundreds of supporters in Yerevan’s northern Avan district after spending more than an hour driving through the city in his massive motorcade. “This is just an attempt at auto ride,” he said in a speech. “The main auto ride, which will rock not only the city but the entire republic, will take place on February 20.”