‘Alternative’ NGO Leader Narek Mantashyan Detained After Placing Coffin Near Government Building

Near the government building, members of the ‘Alternative’ NGO placed a coffin, a large bottle of homemade vodka, tongs, and a banner reading ‘Nikol, murderer.’ During the action, a scuffle occurred between the participants and the police, resulting in the detention of ‘Alternative’ NGO leader Narek Mantashyan.

He stated that the decision to detain him was made because the police suspected that there might be explosive materials in the coffin: ‘I am being taken for further clarification. We placed the coffin because this government looks at death cases with indifference. They treat deaths as part of their next political act. And to make our message more mysterious, I brought this coffin, on which is the number of deaths from COVID-19, so that they understand that every coffin represents a human life. I did not bring this coffin wishing for the death of any of them; we are not like them to take a coffin and place it near the homes of living people. This is merely a symbol.’