Transport Ministry does not comment on roadblocks
The Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Transport and Communication was surprised to hear about roadblocks restricting transport communication between the provinces and Yerevan and promised to clarify the authenticity of the information.
Transport communication between the capital and marzes has been disrupted since early morning. Passengers witnessed absence of regular bus service from Tavush, Lori, Gegharkunik, Armavir and Shirak.
In reply to A1+'s phone call to get a reaction from relevant bodies to the problem of roadblocks, Petros Demirtchyan, a spokesman for the Ministry of Transport, refrained from giving definite answer.
"We cannot acknowledge roadblocks and confirm the information on basis of a report by one or two passengers," he said.
In reply to our question whether bus stations in Yerevan can furnish information and account for disrupted transport, the Ministry official said, "You needn't direct us."
Demirtchyan advises us to follow the events ‘to make sure that buses work in the daytime.'
Asked whether he acknowledges roadblocks anyway, Demirtchyan gave a negative answer.
Traffic Police implementing ‘Hemp-poppy' operation
In reply to A1+'s question why policemen have been flagging down minibuses driving to the capital from marzes, a police official said, "It is a part of an unrelated police operation, called Hemp-poppy-2011, that's why they are searching public vehicles on highways."
He denied targeting opposition activists and said similar measures are carried out almost every day.
