YEREVAN. – Armenia’s opposition Heritage Party spokesperson Hovsep Khurshudyan commented on Tuesday’s developments that unrolled in downtown Yerevan, the separation of the opposition march participants into two parts, and the accusations made against Heritage’s chairman, former FM Raffi Hovannisian—who was 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. 

In an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am, Khurshudyan clarified that Hovannisian was at the frontline when people were being detained and there was a confrontation nearby Baghramyan Avenue.  

“[But] when all this ended, talks were held with the Police, relating to heading to Tsitsernakaberd [that is, the Armenian Genocide Memorial] with another route [other than Baghramyan Avenue]. At that time, he [that is, Hovannisian] and some 5,000-6,000 people went to Tsitsernakaberd [with another route]; solely 1,000-2,000 people had remained on Baghramyan. After lighting a candle there [that is, at Tsitsernakaberd] he returned to Baghramyan,” Khurshudyan said in particular.    

To the query as whether it is normal that Hovannisian had left some of the people on Baghramyan Avenue—and in confrontations—and, together with the Chief of Police, gone to the Armenian Genocide Memorial to light candles, Heritage’s spokesperson responded that when it was announced with a loudspeaker that they are heading to the Memorial, most of them heard this and came along. But those that were further away did not hear this announcement.     

As per Khurshudyan, Hovannisian did not know that people had still remained on Baghramyan Avenue; but when he learned this, he returned there.   

Hovsep Khurshudyan assured, however, that a group of their representatives were always on Baghramyan Avenue.  

“So, the people were not left all alone,” he added.

Khurshudyan also stressed that Raffi Hovannisian had left the people on their own solely after when the tension had reduced substantially. 

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am