Today, the Investigative Committee of Armenia published information on the uncovering of an alleged anti-state conspiracy against the government on the eve of the events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the so-called Armenian genocide.
According to a press release, the National Security Council and the Investigative Committee prevented mass disorders, scheduled for April 24. The Investigative Committee explained that people who were arrested, obstructed the police. Thus the Armenian Republic's Investigative Committee’s department on Especially Important Cases has initiated a criminal case under the requirements of Article 35-225 of the RA Criminal Code, Interfax reports.
Armenia’s opposition Founding Parliament initiative created the opposition '100th Anniversary Without the Regime' movement, which issued a corresponding message calling for any active actions to be taken to change the power in the country.
Paul Manukyan, a representative of the opposition, was detained yesterday. Police officers searched the houses of Zhirayr Sefilyan, Varuzhan Avetisyan and Karo Yeghnukyan.
The leader of the opposition Armenian National Congress, Levon Zurabyan, told Vestnik Kavkaza that this message of the Investigative Committee of Armenia did not become news.
"The authorities have long struggles with the opposition. The repression against the opposition regime, against its activists, even non-political, public organizations is not news. And last year repression of the opposition started after mass demonstrations against the government, there were attacks on the Vice-President of our party, Aram Manukyan, our activists, veterans of the war," he said.
Also, he said, before there were also cases of violence against members of Constituent Parliament."The organization is, of course, small. Voltaire once said “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it". That's our position. Even if we do not agree with the slogans of any opposition organization, however, its constitutional freedoms must be respected," Armenian politician said.According to Levon Zurabyan, you shouldn't trust Armenian authorities in any case, because "we already have a whole history of repression against the opposition and society organizations. This shows how hypocritical such statements are."There is no decision to hold the meeting in the near future, Zurabyan noted. "But since 2007 we have continuously hold several rallies each year, so I do not rule out that we can decide to hold rally," he concluded.
Also, he said, previously there were also cases of violence against members of Constituent Parliament.
"The organization is, of course, small. Voltaire once said “I do not agree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it". That's our position. Even if we do not agree with the slogans of any opposition organization, however, its constitutional freedoms must be respected," the Armenian politician said.
According to Levon Zurabyan, you shouldn't trust Armenian authorities in any case, because "we already have a whole history of repression against the opposition and society organizations. This shows how hypocritical such statements are."
There is no decision to hold the meeting in the near future, Zurabyan noted. "But since 2007 we have continuously held several rallies each year, so I do not rule out that we might decide to hold rally," he concluded.
