Armenian police apprehended Monday 15 rally participants - the founder of the VETO social and political movement Narek Malyan, and its members.

"These detentions are unambiguously unlawful, carried out upon instruction of the political authorities and are aimed at restricting the right of citizens to freedom of speech enshrined in the Armenian Constitution," VETO said in a statement.

"We urge journalists and human rights defenders to respond to unlawful events."