Armenian police break up opposition protest
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 16 January 2009 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Armenian police break up opposition protest, 16 January 2009, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4976f7d626.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 16, 2009
YEREVAN – Riot police used force to disperse more than 200 opposition supporters outside a court in Yerevan where seven opposition members are on trial on charges of attempting a coup d'etat, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.
The trial was adjourned on January 16 before it began for the sixth consecutive time because the defendants continue to refuse to stand up to show respect for Judge Mnatsakan Martirosian.
Martirosian again called their defiant stance a "disrespectful attitude to the court."
He scheduled the next court session for January 30.
Moments later, protesters who had gathered outside the court building in a show of support for the defendants tried to march to the Prosecutor-General's Office located in the city center.
Dozens of riot police blocked their way, saying the protest was unsanctioned by city authorities and interfered with traffic.
