YEREVAN. – Armenia’s opposition Heritage Party Chairman Raffi Hovannisian, who became the runner-up in Monday’s presidential election, stayed at capital city Yerevan’s Liberty Square, together with his supporters, until the early morning hours of Thursday, but they went home at dawn.

During Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter’s visit to the square at 10:30am, there was virtually no one there from Wednesday evening’s rally, and Hovannisian likewise was absent; solely a few people were standing there, talking.       

Opposition People’s Party of Armenia Youth Council Chairman Narek Varazdatyan, who had joined Hovannisian on February 16, told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the rally participants stayed at the square all night, together with Hovannisian; the night went as normal, without incidents; they were speaking with their supporters, and they did not pitch any tents, since there was no need.     

He further informed that the rally participants went home at dawn to rest, but they are preparing for their next rally scheduled for 1pm. He noted that, according to preliminary information, the ruling Republican Party (RPA) is expected to hold its own rally at Liberty Square at 2pm, but they do not know whether or not RPA will show up. At any rate, as per Varazdatyan, Hovannisian and his supporters will hold their rally at 1pm.      

Narek Varazdatyan assured that Raffi Hovannisian will be at the square in thirty minutes, and solely future developments will show whether or not they will stay there on Thursday, as well. 

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am