Raffi Hovannisian, the leader of the opposition Heritage party, has spent the night in Yerevan's Liberty Square after announcing a "freedom fast" on March 15.
"I shall continue my protest as long as God gives me strength, as long as the intolerable and alarming situation continues in the country. The night was cold but people visiting me brought light with them," Hovannisian told A1+.
A group of political and cultural figures, as well as ordinary citizens have been visiting the Heritage founding leader to voice their support for him.
Hovannisian says the choice of Liberty Square is not accidental: the square symbolizes freedom and liberty and unification of the Armenian people. The Square has been the scene of massive anti-government demonstrations held by the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) after the disputed February 2008 presidential election.
Raffi Hovannisian does not demand anything; he expects that in this emergency situation the authorities will give back the Armenian people their votes and their voice. So far, Hovannisian has received no answer.
According to Hovannisian, he was not allowed to put up a tent for the night.
The Heritage leader excluded the possibility of his teammates' joining the hunger strike.
"I am to shoulder the burden alone," he said.
Today, Raffi Hovannisian has been visited by employees of N4 Polyclinic.
Hovannisian went on an indeterminate hunger strike on Tuesday demanding Armenia's leadership to hold fresh presidential and parliamentary elections.
