Fears of Clashes Increases

AP reports that there are increasing concerns that force may be used to disperse the continuing opposition protest in Yerevan’s Liberty Square. Following a warning from the outgoing president, police have already started to alert protesters that the 24/7 demonstration is illegal.

YEREVAN, Armenia: Thousands of opposition supporters protested for a fifth straight day in the Armenian capital Sunday, demanding a rerun of the disputed presidential vote and denouncing the detention of several allies in their confrontation with the government.

More than 20,000 people protested in a central square where the opposition has maintained a round-the-clock vigil, and hundreds broke away to march through the streets in the early evening. A tough warning from the departing president raised concerns that the police could try to disperse the demonstrators.

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The standoff has raised concerns about potential violence in a poor and volatile country that is strategically located at the junction of the Caspian Sea region and southern Europe, with Russia and Iran nearby.

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On Sunday morning, an officer speaking through a bullhorn urged the crowd in the square outside the Yerevan opera house to disperse. The police did not take action against the protesters, but a number of police and security forces were deployed in streets near the square.