ArmInfo.Representatives of more than 30 public organizations of Armenia sent an appeal to international structures, in which they drew the attention of the latter to the political situation in the country.
In the appeal addressed to the UN, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the European Union, diplomatic missions, the authors of the document note that the current events are a hope for democracy against a corrupt system. By 2015, a semi-presidential system operated in Armenia, which provided for direct presidential elections no more than 2 consecutive times. The document's authors note that after the expiry of the term of office in order to preserve power, President Serzh Sargsyan carried out constitutional reforms through numerous falsifications. According to the new constitution, the system became parliamentary. Thus, the stable majority of one party has been established in the National Assembly, direct presidential elections are excluded. As a result of the parliamentary elections in April 2017, characterized by pre- election bribes and a controlled election process, as well as the absence of strong opposition, the Republican Party won the majority, thereby creating conditions for Sargsyan for the third term of the country's leadership.
Since March 2018, the Armenian public has launched a campaign to prevent the possible nomination of Serzh Sargsyan to the post of prime minister of the country. The campaign was aimed at excluding the formation of a lifelong dictatorship in Armenia, which is typical for the post-Soviet states. Nevertheless, after the election of Sargsyan to the post of Prime Minister of the country, the leader of the party "Civil Contract", MP Nikol Pashinyan appealed to the public, who found a response not only in Yerevan, but also in other cities of the country. However, peaceful protesters' actions were met by pressure from law enforcement agencies, which, at the same time, show inaction against provocateurs.
"We appeal to international organizations and to states that promote democratic values and democratic systems to support the struggle of the Armenian people for the sake of a good future." Life rallies should not be recognized. Serzh Sargsyan, "the appeal, signed by the Anti-Corruption Center Transparency International, the Helsinki Civil Assembly, the journalist's office "Asparez", and others.
192 persons were subjected to the drive at 3 pm, three members of the National Assembly - Nikol Pashinyan, Ararat Mirzoyan and Sasun Mikaelyan - were arrested.