Armenia’s former president Robert Kocharyan’s press conference scheduled for Tuesday at 12 noon in Yerevan was disrupted by activists who blocked the entrance to the building.
Activists accuse Kocharyan of instigating post-elections violence on March 1, 2008, during which a clash between government forces and protesters resulted in the deaths of 8 civilians and 2 policemen, and roughly 300 injured.
On August 13, Kocharyan’s lawyers announced that the second president will hold a press conference the following day. The announcement was made right after Armenia’s Criminal Court of Appeals issued a decision to release Kocharyan from custody, who had been detained on July 27 on charges of overthrowing the constitutional order during the 2008 post-election period.
The former president’s office did not lose time to comment on the failed press conference.
“Today’s incident seems to have confirmed the fears that the new authorities will not tolerate dissent and will allow political persecutions against opponents, especially against those whose political weight and perspectives are a cause of serious concern for them,” Kocharyan’s office stated.
Later the same day, in a Facebook Live video, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan responded to the day’s events. “All persons who committed a crime before the state and its citizens will be held responsible. This path of establishing the rule of law has no alternative.” Pashinyan said.
According to Kocharyan’s office, he will not remain silent. They stated that he will, “in one or another way” publish his views on the most recent political issues through a new press conference or an interview.
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Armenia’s Special Investigate Service questioned Kocharyan on July 26 as a witness in the March 1 case and the same day, he was immediately presented an accusation of toppling the constitutional order.
Kocharyan called the criminal proceedings launched against him a political reprisal.
Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and former Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia, Yuri Khachaturov, was also charged on July 26, 2018 for overthrowing the constitutional order of the Republic of Armenia.
Former President’s Chief of Staff Armen Gevorgyan was also charged with obstruction of justice.
Background:
On February 19, 2008, Serzh Sargsyan became the president of Armenia. His opponent, the first president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrossian and his supporters refused to accept the results of the election. For the next 10 days, there was round-the-clock sit-ins around the Opera, in Freedom Square. Then-President Robert Kocharyan announced a state of emergency and army subdivisions entered Yerevan. On March 1, government forces clashed with protesters resulting in the deaths of 8 civilians and 2 policemen, and roughly 300 injured. In the course of 10 years, no one has taken or borne any responsibility, including legal, for the deaths that occurred on March 1.
