The Armenian opposition mobilized in a major protest to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is accused of surrendering Nagorno-Karabakh.
According to the TASS agency, on Thursday 19 November, demonstrators blocked several central streets of the Armenian capital, in particular Baghramyan, Mashtots and Myasnikyan Avenues. Protesters chanted anti-government slogans, and the police began arrests.
A serious incident was also reported. During the action, a minibus entered the protesters who blocked the road, becoming a chain at a pedestrian crossing.
The protesters are blocking the centre of Yerevan – Pashinyan sent security forces to disperse the crowd.
The situation in Yerevan remains tense. This is due to the truce achieved in Nagorno-Karabakh. The agreement reached through the mediation of Moscow made it possible to stop fighting in the region. However, the Armenian opposition believes that the republic surrendered when Pashinyan signed the agreement.
At the same time, numerous economic and social problems of the country were brought to the surface, which the Prime Minister, who gained power through the so-called velvet revolution, could not solve.
Earlier the President of Armenia Armen Sargsyan had already addressed the people. He called for extraordinary parliamentary elections, and until then, to transfer power to an interim government.