YEREVAN. – Armenia’s opposition Heritage Party Chairman, 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—on Sunday declared a hunger strike at capital city Yerevan’s Liberty Square (PHOTOS). 

“Today you will not hear a best speech, but perhaps the most accountable [one],” Hovannisian stated during the ongoing rally at the square.   

In his view, triumph is in the people’s unity, and he called upon Armenia’s authorities to, “Respect the people’s triumph!”

Hovannisian noted that he no longer has anything to say to the halls of power, and added: “If Serzh Sargsyan takes a fake oath [of office] come April 9, if Serzh Sargsyan and the Catholicos [of All Armenians] desecrate the Bible, they will do that upon my corpse!”   

Heritage’s leader noted that he is declaring a hunger strike at Liberty Square.

“As long as Mr. Sargsyan has not stepped down, I will stay at Liberty Square and will not eat food.”  

He also noted that, during that time, they will set up a national consensus administration. 

The next rally of Hovannisian’s supporters will be held on March 15 at 5pm.

“On that day we will discuss the future courses of action, the Constitutional Court’s ruling [on whether or not the presidential should be declared null and void], and together we will start the matter of [taking] actions, [making] decisions, and consolidate the triumph,” he said.   

Subsequently, Raffi Hovannisian headed toward a bench at Liberty Square and started his hunger strike.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am