Police prevents demonstrators from protesting outside municipality building
12:55 – 22.01.11
A group of street vendors from different districts of Yerevan gathered
today outside the municipality to voice their protest against Mayor
Karen Karapetyan’s decision to ban street trade.
The security officers controlling the area did not allow the
protestors to approach the building, urging them to gather on the
opposite sidewalk. Later, however, the police attempted to disperse
the crowd, saying that the day is not appropriate for a rally as the
municipality is going to receive foreign guests.
The vendors disobeyed the police orders. A few minutes later, Police
Colonel Robert Melkonyan approached the demonstrators, ordering them
to break up. He even pushed one of the demonstrators.
When asked by journalists about the reason, the policeman declined to
admit his conduct.
“They are telling a lie. It’s a blackmail. I didn’t push anyone,” he said.
At the moment, 20 protesters have gathered at the park outside the
municipality, waiting for other vendor colleagues to join them.
They are planning to organize a march to the presidential office to
protest the mayor’s decision that left them jobless.
Tert.am
From: A. Papazian