YEREVAN. – The three non-government parliamentary forces (Armenian National Congress, Prosperous Armenia (PAP), and Heritage) are not permitted to set up a stage at Liberty Square in capital city Yerevan. 

PAP National Assembly Faction Secretary Naira Zohrabyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the police had explained that the word “stage” was not mentioned as part of the technical resources in the rally notification, which the “parliamentary trio” had submitted to the authorities.  

“The Prosperous Armenia Party has held dozens of rallies by setting up a stage, and we have never noted in detail in our [respective] notification what we will be bringing along.

“The police, on the other hand, were telling us that the Opera building [, outside of which Friday’s rally will be held,] is a cultural value, and [therefore] a special permission from the Ministry of Culture is needed to set up a stage [there].   

“But we’re not making a tragedy out of this; there will be a platform. There is an apparent trend in the police actions,” the PAP MP stated, in particular.    

Friday’s rally of the “parliamentary trio” will kick off at Liberty Square at 6pm, and the leaders of the three forces are expected to be on hand at the event.