Ter-Petrosyan: authorities could nothing but break up opposition rally

PanARMENIAN.Net - "The Armenian authorities broke up the rally because they had no other way-out to stop the opposition movement," Armenia's first President, opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan said when commenting on today's dispersal.



"The authorities were waiting for an opportunity. All international observers and journalists have gone," he said adding that notices were sent to all organizations and diplomatic mission accredited to Armenia. "The incumbent authorities are attempting to deceive not only their own nation but also the entire international community."



"I would justify the authorities if the protesters' conduct were unlawful," he said.



"We will use all legal tools to establish legal power in the republic. We intend to request the mayor's office for permit to hold rallies and marches. If the mayor's office doesn't issue a permit we will continue rallies, for the Constitution bans conduction of rallies only in case of emergency," he said.



According to him, the actions of the authorities have escalated tensions. "Their rule will come to an end in some ten days," he said.



Today, at 7 a.m. the RA Police dispersed the opposition rally in Liberty Square in the center of Yerevan. The protesters demanded to declare the outcomes of the February 19 presidential election invalid. Levon Ter-Petrosyan is under house arrest. Some of his team-mates were detained.