RECURRENT INCIDENT IN NORTHERN AVENUE

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There were no posters in Northern Avenue on August 25. Today at about 10.30 a.m. over 150 policemen and skinheads showed up in the avenue, shouted abuse at the sit-down strikers, tore posters and left taking along their posters. They even beat the strikers after they tried to save the posters.

“As usual we were sweeping the avenue in the morning when we saw policemen grouping here and there. They were making notes in their copy-books. Later on about 50 skinheads came up to us accompanied by top-ranked policemen. On reaching us they attacked and seized the posters. About six “hyenas” grasped a poster,” one of the strikers, Anahit Grigorian, said to A1+. During the assault she tried to save her belongings but all her efforts failed.

“We were told that the walls in Northern Avenue belong to the state and we have no right to touch them. Does it mean that the country is owned by Kocharian and Sarkissian? Don’t ordinary citizens have anything in this city? They even tore my documents, medicine and books put on the table,” she said.

They pushed Mrs. Grigorian away and let her fall down. The skinheads and policemen railed at the women-strikers.

“If we are not Armenia’s citizens, do away with us and live with those who are ready to serve you,” added Anahit Grigorian.

Serzh Sarkissian says willing to fill the gap between the government and people. Is he going to carry out his plan in this way? He sent a gang to beat ten women. Sarkissian says he will not talk to Ter-Petrossian, he talks to 350 000 people. The gap will never be bridged. I am ready to any sacrifice for our struggle. Better to die in dignity than serve the authorities.

“Top-ranked policeman Valeri Osipian announced several times he would kill me. Who is to defend me? Who has empowered them to violate my constitutional right? In no other country is a citizen so humiliated and disgraced,” said Ruzanna Karapetian.

80-year-old Hrachia Aloyan was severely beaten today.

“I was trying to save Miasnik Malkhassian’s poster. I was pushed and dropped. Then they threw the poster at me and began hitting me on the head.”

To note, Hrachia Aloyan had been beaten on April 12, 2004. He lost an eye in the result.

“How long can they govern a country with torture and beating? The whole world witnesses their brutality,” he said.

A striker gave A1+ a photo and assured us that two of the policemen are pictured in it.