Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said Yerevan does not rule out taking its dispute with Russia over the management of the South Caucasus Railway to an international court if the issue cannot be resolved through negotiations. At the same time, he stressed that the Armenian authorities hope to settle the matter through talks.
Today, the police detained over 230 participants in the disobedience protest in Yerevan. They are supporters of the “Tavush for the Motherland” movement. Protesters blocked dozens of streets in the central area of the capital.
The “Red Berets” (9-seat special forces) behave in the most arrogant and obscene manner, according to opposition member of parliament Garnik Danielyan. “Women, girls, minors, parents of dead soldiers are subjected to violence, beaten without remorse, and even threatened. I heard that for each case of violence they receive bonuses,” Danielyan said.
The protests began after the call of the opposition leader, head of the Tavush diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Bagrat Galstanyan. He and his followers are against changing the border with Azerbaijan and for the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Galstanyan the day before asked to suspend his spiritual status so as not to combine the post of archbishop with the role of a candidate for prime minister of Armenia.