State of Emergency Ends

A few hours before the state of emergency, declared following clashes between the authorities and the radical opposition came to an end, the BBC reported on the situation in the capital. For now, the situation remains calm with most citizens seemingly enjoying the weather rather than thinking about politics. Earlier tonight, soldiers deployed throughout the city assembled in Yerevan’s Liberty Square before being trucked out hours before the emergency situation officially ended. Calm appears to have descended upon the city although it would be incorrect to consider that the situation is predictable.

Nevertheless, one source close to the government says that the authorities believe the protests are now behind them and expects that the former president, Levon Ter-Petrossian, will soon be charged with plotting a coup d’etat. Other opposition figures also believed to be facing prosecution on similar charges. Although appearances can be deceptive, the 19 February presidential election seems distant now, and tomorrow’s action organized to protest the 1 March clash is widely seen as the last chance for the opposition to test the water before deciding further action.

However, with most of the radical opposition’s leaders detained or in hiding, another attempt to prevent president-elect Serge Sargsyan from taking office seems unlikely.

The Armenian authorities have also confirmed that more than 100 opposition activists are now being held on charges of causing unrest and plotting a coup.
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The opposition claims the presidential poll results were falsified.

The number of arrests has been rising steadily throughout the month, as the Armenian authorities round up the people they believe were responsible for the violence.

Those detained so far include several members of parliament and a former foreign minister. The opposition has accused the government of trying to crush political dissent in Armenia.

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The opposition leader, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, has vowed to continue his campaign to overturn the presidential election results as soon as the state of emergency is lifted. The polls gave victory to his bitter rival, the current prime minister, Serzh Sarkisian.

A new law was passed this week giving the authorities the right to ban demonstrations, if it is believed they will pose a threat to public order.