Journalists’ Club Asparez came up with a statement on Monday condemning violence committed by unidentified men against reporters.{BR} What happened today proved that pressure can be put on freedom of speech with impunity. Those whose direct duty is keep order encourage violence perpetrators by turning blind eye to the illegalities being committed by them, the statement says. The statement...

The republic leaders, who seized power, must resign, National Unity party leader and MP Artashes Geghamyan said at today’s rally. He invited the rally participants to the united opposition rally that is to be held coming Friday in Liberty Square.{BR} The authorities are unable to tackle crisis in the country, he said. “If we want to get rid of corruption and lawlessness, Robert Kocharyan...

Opposition bloc Justice released the list of those illegally arrested, beaten or disturbed recently.{BR} 68 underwent police harassment - 41 of them are Armenian People Party members, 17 are from Republic party, 7 are Justice’s supporters and 2 Democratic Party members - are listed here. Besides, 47 activists of National Unity have been arrested. Total amount of the law enforcement victims is 115.

A 17 year-old resident of Haghardzin village was slightly injured with knife at today’s rally. He said he had been stabbed in the head while trying to help photo-reporters to resist violence committed against them.{BR} Witnesses say the group of instigators vented their anger at reporters when they were shooting the offenders’ attack on a woman, Geghamyan supporter, which condemned egg-throwers.

A1+ crew came up to Aramazd Zakaryan’s apartment at 12:00.{BR} After four-hour siege of the house of Republic party member Aramazd Zakaryan, who refused to open the door when a group of law enforcement officers trying to rush into his house in their dawn raid, the police supposed being confused by journalists' presence and cameras directed on them, let Aramazd leave home and go away.

(Photo of men who were beating Anna Israelyan and Hayk Gevorgyan) Geghamyan-staged rally had heavy consequences for the journalists fulfilling their professional duty today. Aravot and Haykakan Zhamanak newspapers’ correspondents Anna Israelyanand Hayk Gevorgyan underwent violence: they were beaten and their cameras were snatched out and broken.{BR} Cameras of Kentron, Hay TV and H1 TV companies...

Dashnak party said Monday it was ready to offer some cabinet minister portfolios to the opposition activists to ease tension.{BR} Kocharyan’s bitter opponent and key rival in presidential elections Stepan Demirchyan rejected the proposal on Monday saying the opposition is struggling for constitutional law restoration, not for portfolios. Commenting on the coalition move he denounced the offer...

On Monday, opposition leaders and MPs Stepan Demirchyan and Artashes Geghamyan, speaking at a joint news conference in parliament announced a nationwide rally should be held on April 9 at 16:00 in Liberty Square.{BR} They said dozens of opposition activists including women were arrested. Artashes Geghamyan also said his meeting with people scheduled for today will be held despite any obstacles. The...

Dashnaktsutyun, one of the ruling coalition parties, issued a statement on Monday saying the opportunity to make amendments through consensus to the Constitution and the Electoral Code could constitute favourable ground for softening political situation in Armenia.{BR} “The coalition should be guarantor of dialogue”, the party member Armen Rustamyan cited the statement at a news conference....

Artashes Geghamyan, National Unity party leader and MP, was set to meet with his constituents Monday outside Atenadaran Museum in Yerevan. Police surrounded the site in an attempt to prevent the event from being held.{BR} The meeting started in immediate vicinity to the police cordon. Several thousands people estimated gathered to attend the rally. Geghamyan had to speak standing at the top of a car. The...

Haykakan Zhamanak daily newspaper’s correspondent and photojournalist Hayk Gevorgyan was taken in custody on Monday after he tried to photograph roads blocked by the police.{BR} He was released later.

Armen Mkrtchyan, the head of the Republica party Yerevan’s Arabkir district office, was summoned to Prosecutor’s Office on Monday.{BR} The party’s other leaders were called to the Prosecutor Office as well and threatened there. In a day before that, the heads of Armenian provinces Byureghavan and Charentsavan were arrested and released only after interference of the party board members.

From early morning the police surrounded Yerevan’s Matenadaran museum in a bid to bar Artashes Geghamyan, National Unity leader and MP, from installing microphones there and prevent him from holding the meeting with his constituents scheduled for Monday.{BR} Almost all roads to connected provinces with Armenian capital are closed for the same reason.

On Monday morning, a group of police officers headed by chief of criminal department of the Yerevan Arabkir district police raided the house of one of Republic party leaders and former MP Aramazd Zakaryan.{BR} The dawn raid was stalled by resistance from Zakaryan, who refused to open the door and demanded to show a warrant. The police crew was reluctant to stay outdoors. Now the house is surrounded by the law enforcement officers.

Member of “Republic” party’s council Suren Surenyants was taken into the police custody on Sunday. No formal charges are bought against him so far.{BR} A criminal case is believed to be opened.

Armenian General Office of Prosecutor instituted the ordinary criminal case against Opposition activists. The trial for Tigran Naghdalyan’s murder case was the tool for a trumped-up charge. {BR} ”Republic” Party political board members Aramazd Zakaryan, Smbat Ayvazyan and Lyova Eghiazaryan were called to Office of Prosecutor. The reason is senseless. They are accused of having...

The representatives of Armenian and Lebanese Governments have today signed accords on cooperation in education and science, agriculture, culture, economy spheres. {BR} At the end of the 2-day visit Lebanon Prime Minister Rafik Hariri answered the questions of journalists. Commodity turnover between two countries now makes 900.000 $ annually. Both PMs are not satisfied with it. They have today...

Leader of opposition bloc Justice Stepan Demirchyan, speaking Thursday at a news conference said he considered Wednesday’s statement by Prosecutor General’s Office threatening to prosecute opposition activists as an unprecedented attempt of political harassment.{BR} He said the illegitimate president and his cronies are fully responsible for explosive situation in the country. The current...

Beginning from April 1 soccer fans are to be given opportunity to participate in competition dedicated to Armenian Premiership announced by Ayb-Fe newspaper.{BR} The quiz winner will be awarded a ball with the autograph Armenian Football Federation President Ruben Hayrapetyan. Those to take second and third places will also be given prizes.

"Republic" party leader Aram Z. Sargsyan answers our correspondent's questions. Correspondent: Don’t you think Kocharyan does not resign, because Nairi Hunanyan is still alive? A.S.: As a rule, those in power never want to give up their positions. However, Kocharyan is left with no option but to resign. Correspondent: Can you rule out Nairi Hunanyan might be killed before Kocharyan’s...

Prosecutor Office’s statement isn’t unexpected as Aghvan Hovsepyan, newly appointed Prosecutor General, has reputation for being the author of many trumped-up charges. Sometimes he appeared as a mediator between the republic authorities and Nairi Hunanyan, key defendant in the October 27 terrorist attack trial, “Republic” party member Suren Surenyants said Thursday commenting...

Ruling coalition consolidates as the date set for the opposition rally is coming closer. On the event footing the authorities take preventive measures and launched vigorous intimidation campaign against the opposition activists. In a week before the rally intended to mark the second anniversary of the notorious A1+ TV Company closure, they were summoned to police.{BR} Vice-Speaker Vahan Hovhannisyan...

Yerevan’s Mayor Yervand Zakaryan speaking at today’s news conference on expected opposition rallies said the municipality was empowered to authorize or prohibit rally by presidential decree dated from 1997.{BR} Zakaryan was reminded that there is not a word about authorizing in the decree. Coordinating of rallies was mentioned in it. “What are you basing on denying authorization”,...

Armenian parliamentarian’s Supreme Council club’s chair Ruben Torossyan issued a statement on Thursday on behalf of the club in support of A1+ TV Company expressing appreciation of the company’s “great contribution to the process of republic’s democratization” and saying nobody can dispute that.{BR} The fact that the company has undergone oppression by the authorities...