Opposition rally starts in Yerevan

An opposition rally organized by the Armenian National Congress has
started in front of the Yerevan Institute of Ancient Manuscripts in
Matenadaran. Thousands of people have come to the rally, and people
are still arriving. Police forces are also arriving. The rally is
connected to a conference in Yerevan organized by the heads of the
public organizations of Armenia and the EU on "Fair Trial and Judicial
Independence," Armenia Today reports.

The ANC leader and the first president of Armenia, Levon
Ter-Petrosyan, will deliver speeches at the rally.

Tthe head of the Armenian National Movement, Aram Manukyan, made a
speech to the rally. According to him, the main purpose of the rally
is to demonstrate the shortcomings of the judicial system, which
depends entirely on the criminal regime in Armenia.

In his speech Aram Manukyan also expressed hope that all political
prisoners in Armenia will soon be released and will celebrate New Year
with their families.

Representatives of the US Embassy are also present at today’s rally.

During today's rally next to the “Golden Tulip” Hotel in Yerevan, four
activists were detained and taken to the Central Police Department.
The incident occurred after members of the ANC meeting refused to
leave the hotel building hosting the international conference.