Statement of Levon Ter-Petrsosyan campaign headquarters
Yerevan
2 March, 2008
Peaceful protestors who were violently dispersed from Yerevan Liberty square early in the morning on March 1st, 2008 spontaneously gathered at the Myasnikyan square to continue the peaceful rally. The current governing regime once again used brutal force to disperse civic rally which caused numerous wounded and, according to some sources, also killed.
The only possible way out from the situation established, as it was mentioned in our statement of February 29, was immediate release of the first president of the Republic of Armenia Levon Ter- Petrosyan from house arrest, and providing him an opportunity to address gathered people directly. The way which became impracticable due to contradictious position of the authorities. However, the speakers at the square were taking all the means possible to mitigate peoples fury and keep the situation under control. Nevertheless, provocations of the authorities proceeded though inculcated instigators who plundered some shops, crashed signboards and damaged cars on Mashtots avenue which is located in quite a distance from the Myasnikyan square where actual rally took place.
Hereby we state that mentioned instigators by no means are affiliated with participants of the peaceful rally. They were inculcated and guided by the regime. Thus, full responsibility for what happened falls on the current authorities. This act of terror against people of Armenia is an another black page in Kocharyan-Sargsyan couple’s criminal activities.
When majority of the protesters left the square after enduring violence and provocations implemented by the authorities, on March 2nd at 4 AM Levon Ter-Petrosyan addressed 5-6 thousand indignant people who were still standing on the square with a telephone appeal. In order to avoid police and army possible violent actions, he called everyone to break up and wait for situation based action plan that will be announced by the leadership of the National movement.
Aram Sargsyan and Nikol Pashinyan transmitted Ter-Petrosyan´s appeal to the people who hearkened to the call of their leader and peacefully left for their homes.
We shall continue political struggle in sake of democracy and lawfulness.
Levon Ter-Petrsosyan campaign headquarters
