VIDEO: Haik Marutyan Forbidden Entry to City Hall

According to Article 29, Part 7 of the law on local self-governance in Yerevan, other individuals may also participate, speak, and answer questions at council meetings by invitation from the mayor or the council faction. This was stated today, March 12, during a press conference outside Yerevan City Hall by former mayor and ousted council member Haik Marutyan.

“Considering that the issue of transportation is on the agenda for today’s council meeting, our faction (National Progress faction) applied for my participation and to make a speech. Our request has been denied. The justification is very strange; they claim that there is some illegal document signed between the city hall staff and the ministry’s police division, stating that besides council members and those who work there, no others can enter the city hall building during council meetings. This is pure illegality because the law clearly states that individuals may participate and speak at the meeting by invitation of the faction. Now I will try to enter Yerevan City Hall. Let’s see how the police enforce this illegal decision. If I get in, we will have a briefing upstairs, and I will express all our viewpoints and also make a speech. If not, we will hold a small press conference right here,” said Marutyan.

The former mayor attempted to enter the building but was not allowed in.