Protests in Armenia: the president went to demonstrators

Armenian President Armen Sargsyan went to the protesters gathered at a rally on the Republic Square in the center of Yerevan. According to News.am, at the rally, Sargsyan talked with the leader of the opposition Nikol Pashinyan.

After a ten -minute conversation with Pashinyan, the president left the square. “I hope,” he answered the question of journalists about whether there will be negotiations between protesters and power.

According to Pashinyan, Sargsyan in a conversation with him expressed anxiety in connection with the risk of violence. In turn, the opposition told the president that he was ready to negotiate only about the removal of Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan from the authorities and that they should take place on a neutral territory, and not in one of the government buildings.

The crowd chanted "President, reject Serge!".

After visiting the opposition rally, Sarksyan met with Prime Minister Sargisyan, reports Tert.am.

According to Interfax, Sargsyan said that he was ready to resign after solving the problem with the Nagorno -Karabakh. According to the politician, he decided to become the Prime Minister, since "in a period of full calls" must "ensure the safe development of the country", located "in the region with complex geopolitics." “According to my ideas, these problems are solved. After that, other figures may get up at the helm of power,” the head of government added.

On Saturday afternoon, Sargsyan urged his opponents to immediately begin negotiations. "In order to avoid irreparable losses, I urge the deputy of the National Assembly of Nikola Pashinyan to go to a political dialogue and sit at the negotiating table. This should be done immediately," the Sargsyan statement said.

Pashinyan, in turn, stated that he was ready to discuss only the conditions of the resignation of Sargsyan, who headed the government after two five years at the presidential post. “If he accepts this agenda, we are ready to discuss the conditions of his resignation,” said Pashinyan. “I am yesterday (at a rally in Yerevan. - Ed.) Said that we do not want Vendett and revenge. We want the transfer of power to the people to happen if possible without shocks.” The politician emphasized that the protests of the opponents of Sargsyan "were and will be completely peaceful" and "there is no reason to use force."

On Saturday, the Armenian National Security Service announced the detention of six people involved in the preparation of explosions in public places. The suspects, according to the special services, are associated with the Sasna Tsare group, whose members captured a police regiment in Yerevan in 2016.

In the capital there are mass detentions. By the middle of the day, more than 90 people were detained. The protests last the ninth day. Since Friday, protesters overlap traffic in the city center.

"The Revolution of Pedestrians": Yerevan, April 20. Video Armen Ambartsumyan

On Friday, 217 protesters were detained in the Armenian capital. The security forces said they were ready to use special equipment against demonstrators in case of "failure to fulfill the requirements of law enforcement agencies."

On April 17, Pashinyan announced the beginning of a velvet revolution in the country . Earlier on this day, the Armenian parliament voted for the appointment of Sargsyan by the head of government. “For” 76 deputies voted, 17 parliamentarians did not approve the candidacy of the former president.

After the election of Sargsyan, protesters began to block the buildings of the authorities; The security forces hindered them. Only on April 17, 46 people were injured in clashes with the police.

On April 9, the second five -year period of Sargsyan as the president’s post is expired. In order to continue to remain in power, the head of state in 2015 initiated a referendum on a change in the form of state structure from the presidential republic to parliamentary . It was statement that 63.35 percent of voters supported the idea.

On March 2, the National Assembly elected the new president on a non-alternative basis 65-year-old Armen Sargsyan (Sargsyan), the namesake of the then head of state. In 1996-1997, Armen Sargsyan was the prime minister of the country, and later held the post of ambassador in London.

Meanwhile, the main part of the power, after changing the constitutional system of the country, passes into the hands of the Prime Minister.

When Sergey Sargsyan, the head of state, the opposition sharply criticized his activity. In Armenia, thousands of protest demonstrations were repeatedly held.