8 DEAD IN ARMENIAN ELECTION RIOTS
Russia Today
March 2 2008
Russia
Feelings in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, remain high after eight
people died on Saturday night during violent protests against an
election result. A 20-day state of emergency is in force and the city
centre is now largely deserted. Thousands of soldiers and police are
patrolling the area.
It’s unclear if the victims of the violence were police or protestors.
A group of Georgian journalists told RT they literally have to run
from the police in order to keep their cameras with them.
In the streets there are debris and burnt cars left from the rioting.
And with another opposition protest planned today the atmosphere is
as tense as possible.
The authorities appear to be nervous. All media have been closed and
it’s very difficult to get any information.
Earlier in the day Seyran Oganyan, a Chief of staff of the Armenian
Armed Forces addressed the nation with a call to observe the state
of emergency.
"I discourage everyone to bypass the restrictions imposed by the
state of emergency. Please be disciplined and comply with steps the
army is taking to implement the state of emergency. Particularly I
would ask people to refrain from gathering in Yerevan," Oganyan said.