How to Look Bad in the Western Press

The weekend arrest of several key Ter-Petrossian supporters has obviously resulted in more interest from the international media in continuing opposition protests in the Armenian capital. Indeed, I’ve even heard that Sargsyan’s team are so concerned by Western news coverage that they’re now checking up on when international reporters plan to leave the country.

Judging by this Reuters story republished by the New York Times, such concerns are understandable. Basically, it’s bad press for the government in Armenia which is nothing new, but somehow different this time round even though only his supporters believe Ter-Petrossian won the election.

Instead, the issue appears to be that a second round should have been called, but anyway.

YEREVAN, Armenia (Reuters) — The Armenian authorities detained top opposition figures on Sunday while thousands of protesters chanted calls for a rerun of a presidential election that they said was rigged.

The opposition in the Caucasus Mountains country has mounted protests for five days to demand the annulment of the results of last Tuesday’s presidential election in which Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan beat his nearest rival, Levon Ter-Petrosian.

Prominent opposition figures were detained on Saturday and Sunday. Those held included the leader of one political party and a former deputy prosecutor-general who backed the protests.

“This confirms the authorities will use force,” said Mikail Daelyan, an opposition activist.

[…]

The rally lasted for more than five hours and was attended by around 20,000 people; 35,000 turned out Saturday. Security services said the opposition figures arrested included Aram Karapetian, the leader of the New Times party, who had backed Mr. Ter-Petrosian’s campaign.