Opposition activists and police clash in Yerevan
Youth wing of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) launched a rally in Yerevan today. A few hundred participants of the protest action complained of the rigged presidential election of 2008. At the intersection of Abobyan and Sayat-Nova streets the protesters made an attempt to break through a police cordon.
As the pavements of Abovyan street are narrow the protesters marched along the street which aroused policemen's indignation. Chaining the street and forming a barrier they demanded that the marchers walk along the pavements. To avoid a clash with policemen the marchers sat on the ground, stretched out their hands and began signing and shouting out "Freedom." Just at that moment policemen and red hats forced them off the street truncheoning and beating.
HAK activist Sargis Khachatryan soon fell sick and was taken to hospital. Another protest participant, Vahagn Gevorgyan, was driven in an unknown direction by policemen and released in 10 minutes. Further on, near the HAK office, the police arrested another 5 activists.
Protesters' inquiries about the arrested activists were met with silence.
