YEREVAN. – At present, representatives from Armenia’s opposition Heritage Party are holding talks with the capital city Yerevan Mayor, to receive permission to pitch a tent for Heritage’s leader, former FM Raffi Hovannisian—who is declared runner-up to the winner, incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan, as a result of the presidential election that was conducted on February 18, but who claims to be the real winner in the vote and who declared a hunger strike on March 10 at capital city Yerevan’s Liberty Square.

“If permission is granted, they will bring [the tent]; the police will not obstruct at all,” Yerevan Police Chief Nerses Nazaryan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

He noted that Yerevan Municipality and the Ministry of Culture have the right to grant such permission. The Police, on the other hand, maintain public order; and since Liberty Square is considered a historical and cultural center, authorization is necessary to pitch a tent there. 

“The Police do not want for anyone to carry out anything arbitrary,” he noted.       

As per Nazaryan, however, the citizens’ right to freedom of movement should be considered.

“People come here, relax, walk. Why should tents be pitched there? Children play, the elderly spend their free time there,” the Yerevan Chief of Police stated.

Nerses Nazaryan also stressed that they did not obstruct Hovannisian supporters from pitching a tent. Instead, they simply urged them to petition to the Municipality to be granted respective permission.