Any head of village would gather as much people as the July 2 opposition meeting had, stated the ANC MP and Republican Party member Gagik Melikyan.

“We need a strong opposition to create a strong statehood,” he said, outlining that the last opposition rally numbered only 5000 people which evidences that “people lost confidence in the opposition.” Melikyan said, that currently opposition acts against people, however he could not bring any precise example and added that the usurpation of the power contradicts the interests of the people.

Melikyan also commented on the June 19 declaration of amnesty, stating that this decision was made on authorities’ own initiative, not under the pressure of the European organizations or opposition.