Epress.am News from Armenia
Yerevan City Hall once again denied the Armenian National Congress’ request for a permit to hold a rally in Liberty Square on Feb. 18.
The opposition group had submitted its request on Jan. 31 to hold a rally on Feb. 11 and 18 from 4 pm to 10 pm, followed by a march along the route Liberty Square – Mashtots Blvd. – Amiryan St. – Republic Square – Nalbandyan St. – Tumanyan St. and back to Liberty Square.
As noted on the Yerevan City Hall website, the municipality denied the group’s request for the Feb. 18 rally due to other events taking place on that day — events that were approved by the city on Dec. 29, 2010 and Jan. 27, 2011, according to the statement by the municipality. Note, the request for a rally on Feb. 11 has not yet been discussed in city hall.
Yerevan City Hall advised the group to hold their rally in front of the Matenadaran (Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts) on the stated days and times.
Recall, on perhaps dozens of occasions, Yerevan City Hall, citing various reasons, denied the Armenian National Congress’ request for rallies in Liberty Square. Each time, the municipality suggested the area in front of the Matenadaran as an alternative place for the opposition bloc and its supporters to gather.