VIDEO: Citizen Detained for Offering Coffee to Passersby and Police

Police detained participants of a protest action in the vicinity of the 'Sasuntsi David' subway station. The protesters had been attempting to offer coffee to both police officers and citizens. 'With regards to Artsakh, sadly, we have failed. Today, that calamity, that wheel which tramples everything before it, is destroying and dismantling, has reached our beautiful Tavush. Tavush is the strongest region of Armenia, where we have received the best positions, making it difficult for the enemy to succeed through military means, or only through immense efforts. As a result of the current processes, Tavush is becoming vulnerable like other regions,' said Gagik Harutyunyan, a participant in the action, emphasizing that numerous civil organizations, political forces, parties, individuals, and clergy had united to fight against the processes occurring around Tavush.

'Our struggle is not against the police or aimed at initiating violent actions with the police. It is against the treacherous powers that violate the constitution and sell the country. Although some subdivisions' employees are ready to even raise their hands against children, we are confident that the police do not support selling land and becoming a servant to the enemy,' said another participant of the action, who attempted to serve coffee to the police seeking to clear the way. However, the police announced that the time given to citizens to clear the road had expired, and they detained Gagik Harutyunyan.

According to the participants, the police are violating citizens' right to hold a peaceful protest. It should be noted that the day before, the leader of the Tavush Diocese, Bishop Bagrat, announced that peaceful actions would take place today in ten locations in Armenia, including Yerevan and the regions. No rally is planned for today; it will take place on Sunday at 18:30. Since morning, citizens, led by Bishop Bagrat, had begun a march from Republic Square towards various universities. Groups of students joined Bishop Bagrat from universities including Yerevan State University, Polytechnic Institute, Brusov State University, Agricultural University, and the Conservatory. Notably, Bishop Bagrat briefly entered the Conservatory, voiced his appeal, and exited.

Recall that the day before, Bishop Bagrat announced the start of civil disobedience actions in Republic Square, calling for strikes and work stoppages. Meanwhile, two opposition factions in the National Assembly are initiating the process of impeachment against the Prime Minister.