Yes, there are restrictions on assemblies for the time being, but who said the participants of the potential assemblies must express discontent with the incumbent government? This is what Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan stated during a briefing following the session of the Commandant’s Office today.

“Who said the 10-20 participants or even 100 times more participants of the potential rally won’t express discontent with the activities of certain corrupt officials? Overall, this has to be taken into consideration. Some people need to be thankful that Armenia is in a state of emergency and there is no opportunity to hold assembles because I believe in at least some cases, the supporters of the revolution would hold massive assemblies and express themselves in regard to several specific cases and people.

I would also like to say that certain so-called circles making such comments overestimate their ability to hold rallies in Armenia because if by saying ‘rally’ they mean bringing people to the square by offering them money and relying on those people, they won’t have any hopes after the state of emergency is over,” Pashinyan declared, adding that the government’s current objective is to make sure fewer people are infected with the coronavirus.