“Oath of Silence” staged in Liberty Square
After Heritage leader Raffi Hovannisian ended his hunger strike in Yerevan's Liberty Square, a group of intellectuals announced that the anti-government protests would continue on the grounds.
On April 2, they announced the start of "Oath of Silence" in the square. The participants of the protest action seat silently without getting into contact with passers-by.
Talking to A1+, Heritage faction leader Stepan Safaryan said that numerous intellectuals had expressed readiness to join the protest. He advised visiting the square at 5:00 p.m. to see the "protesters."
"Intellectuals protest against the state of affairs in Armenia and the government's failure to address the existing problems. The authorities are trying to turn the square -the symbol of freedom and democracy - into a playground," said Safaryan adding that the protests will be held every day, from 5:00 to 10:00.
Stepan Safaryan says that so far they had encountered no obstacles.
"Numerous policemen were grouped in the square on the first day of the protest action. To my great surprise, one of them came up and politely inquired about the event. Then he said, "It is your right to hold a protest," said Safaryan.
On March 15, Raffi Hovannisian announced hunger strike calling for snap presidential and parliamentary elections as a "radical solutions in the state of emergency." Hovannisian ended the protest action on March 15 citing appeals from well wishers and family members.
