After being closed for a lengthy construction project, Freedom Square in downtown Yerevan has again turned into a venue for confrontation.
Within days of its reopening, critics of Armenian President Serge Sarkisian’s administration tried to reclaim the square as a venue for the venting of political discontent. On May 30 and 31, opposition activists and security forces faced off in the square. On May 31, authorities took over a dozen activists into custody. Three detainees, including Ani Gevorgian, a reporter for the opposition Haykakan Zhamanak daily, are facing criminal charges for allegedly assaulting law-enforcement personnel and for hooliganism.
Media advocacy organizations have condemned Gevorgian’s arrest, alleging that she was merely covering a news event and took no active part in the protest.
Levon Zurabyan, a spokesman for the main opposition Armenian National Congress, indicated that government critics would file formal complaints with relevant international bodies over authorities’ efforts to limit the right of freedom of speech and public protest.
Police, meanwhile, have insisted they were merely trying to maintain public order.
Some analysts said the tough response by authorities is motivated by desire to preempt opposition efforts to revive a protest movement. “Realizing that the opposition is currently weak, authorities do not want to lose their advantageous position,” independent political analyst Yervand Bozoyan told Eurasianet.org.
“Freedom Square is a symbol of liberty for the opposition, and equally [a symbol of] fear for authorities,” added Arthur Sakunts, head of Vanadzor office of Helsinki Citizens Assembly .
Eduard Sharmazanov, a spokesman for the Republican Party of Armenia, the main member of the governing coalition, insisted that the government had no particular interest in keeping protesters away from Freedom Square. “We condemn any violence, and another question is whether a citizen is acting in accordance with the law or not.”
Yerevan residents had mixed opinions about the undeclared struggle over Freedom Square. Aram Mkryan, a 25-year old teacher, suggested that a government clampdown could do more to stoke, rather than dampen, opposition passions. “This might produce the boomerang effect, like it happened during the [2008] presidential election, when pressure resulted in more people joining the opposition,” Mkryan said.
Hasmik Harutyunyan, a 64-year-old engineer, countered that many people in Yerevan have become disillusioned with politics, greatly reducing the likelihood that Freedom Square will once again develop into a political battleground. “Freedom Square is symbolic for us and has always played an important role in our political life, but the last presidential election left the people totally disappointed in both authorities and the opposition, and it’s hard to spark them again,” Harutyunyan said.
Hurriyet Daily News
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