Will city authorities prohibit opposition march too?
The opposition's notification to hold a mass event at Liberty Square on February 18 has fueled a heated debate in the Yerevan Municipality.
On February 2, the Mayor's Office discussed the notice in presence of Armenian National Congress (HAK) activist Tigran Arakelyan. However, the latter left the discussion, arguing that the municipality's decision to sanction other events at the square on the same was a rough violation of law. The municipality also accounted its refusal for unfavourable weather conditions.
Municipality representative Gagik Baghdasaryan said they had learnt from meteorological services [ArmStateHydroMet, traffic police and Municipality's Transport Department] that weather will be unfavourablle on February 18 which may further disrupt traffic in the capital.
"The reasons presented by the Municipality conflict with Armenian laws," said Tigran Arakelyan adding that the Municipality's decision to authorize sports and ccultural events at Liberty Square was made ahead of the specified time limit and could not be presented as grounds for rejection.
The municipality will publish its final decision on February 3.
In late January, Armenian National Congress submitted a notice with the Municipality about its intention to hold a rally and a march at Liberty Square on February 18. The Municipality again rejected the opposition saying the square would host some other event on that day.
Since September 2010, the city authorities have rejected all notifications for different reasons; saying that the square was ascribed to some other event on that particular day and suggesting that the opposition gather at some other place.
