Decision 2013: Raffi Hovannisian goes on hunger strike

VOTE 2013 | 10.03.13 | 20:15

Raffi Hovannisian, who officially finished second in last month’s
presidential ballot and is now disputing the reelection of President
Serzh Sargsyan, has gone on a hunger strike, calling on the incumbent
to resign before April 9 – the official Inauguration Day.

Addressing supporters who gathered in Yerevan’s Liberty Square for
another rally on Sunday, the opposition leader vowed to secure a
victory for the people even at the cost of his life.

`If on April 9 he [Serzh Sargsyan] gives a pseudo-oath on the
Constitution and the Holy Bible and the Supreme Patriarch blesses it
and thus defiles the Bible, they will do it on my dead body,’ stressed
Hovannisian, who already conducted a 15-day hunger strike two years
ago.

`This is not a hunger strike, but a boycott of lies and fraud,’ stated
the 53-year-old U.S.-born politician before starting his fast in the
square.

`In any case you will be celebrating your victory and a new Armenia on
April 9,’ said Hovannisian, addressing hundreds of his supporters in
the venue.

Sargsyan, who was certified as winner of the February 18 presidential
election with his official tally of about 59 percent (as opposed to
Hovannisian’s nearly 37 percent of the vote) received Hovannisian in
his presidential office last month.

The opposition leader afterwards said, however, that all of his
demands, including a repeat election, a runoff or snap elections of
the National Assembly held under an all-party list system, had been
rejected by the current head of state.

Hovannisian has since been holding rallies in the capital and
provincial towns of Armenia, claiming that he has been robbed of an
election victory and demanding that he be recognized as legitimate
president.

He said the next big rally in Yerevan’s Liberty Square will be held
next Friday.

Before that, on Monday, the Constitutional Court is due to start
considering Hovannisian’s lawsuit demanding the annulment of the
election results and recognition of his victory.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

http://armenianow.com/vote_2013/44288/armvote13_raffi_hovannisian_rally_hungerstrike

Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.

Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2013/03/10/decision-2013-raffi-hovannisian-goes-on-hunger-strike/

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS