Leader of Protests Against Sarkisian's Premiership Arrested in Armenia

Nikol Pashinyan, the leader of the protests against Serge Sarkisian's premiership in Armenia, was arrested on Sunday, April 21, along with two other parliamentary representatives. Armenia has faced a wave of street protests over the past two weeks due to the election of former President Serge Sarkisian to the position of Prime Minister, resulting in hundreds of arrests. Mr. Sarkisian was President of Armenia for 10 years and increased the powers of the Prime Minister's office during the last year of his presidency by changing the constitution. Previously, he and Armen Sarkisian, the new President of Armenia and not related to the former president, had suggested that both sides engage in dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis. Although the opposition had stated that the resignation of Serge Sarkisian was the only condition for stopping the protests, Pashinyan accepted the proposal for negotiation. However, on Sunday, the Prime Minister of Armenia abruptly ended the meeting with Pashinyan in front of reporters, accusing him of extortion. The opposition leader, in turn, demanded Sarkisian's resignation. Pashinyan's arrest occurred shortly after the failed negotiations and his call for continued street protests. The police attempted to stop the protests by throwing sound grenades. It is still unclear where Pashinyan, who was arrested by police and security forces wearing masks, has been taken, but Sassoon Mikaelian, an opposition representative in parliament who called for action among the protesters for his release, was also arrested. According to the police's official report, 192 people were arrested during the protests on Sunday. The Armenian police denied Pashinyan's arrest, stating that he was 'forcibly removed from the protest site.' The Armenian riot police announced in a statement that despite repeated warnings to end the illegal protests, Pashinyan, along with Mikaelian and (Arafat) Mirzoyan (another opposition representative in the Armenian parliament), continued to lead the demonstrations in Yerevan and were forcibly removed from the protest site. Nonetheless, the Armenian prosecutor's office announced that the three would be detained for 72 hours. The statement indicated that these three parliamentary opposition representatives had organized illegal demonstrations, inviting their supporters to block streets and enter government buildings. The statement did not clarify whether criminal charges had been filed against the three protest leaders. Meanwhile, thousands of Pashinyan's supporters continued the street protests in Yerevan behind four opposition priests. During the brief meeting between Sarkisian and Pashinyan, the opposition leader stated that he had come to ask the Prime Minister to resign. Sarkisian responded that 'this request cannot be called negotiation, but rather extortion.' The meeting lasted only three minutes in front of reporters, after which the Prime Minister of Armenia left the negotiation table. He also told Pashinyan upon leaving the negotiation room that he had only six to seven percent of the public vote to enter parliament and should not speak on behalf of the people or issue ultimatums to the government. Pashinyan accused Sarkisian of failing to understand reality and called on his supporters to hold larger peaceful protests. He stated that as long as the protests are peaceful, the police should not intervene. Sarkisian had said on Saturday that he was willing to enter 'political negotiations.' In a statement published on his official website, he expressed deep concern about the internal situation and asked Pashinyan to quickly come to the negotiation table to avoid irreparable damage. The opposition claims that after 10 years of presidency, Mr. Sarkisian ultimately wants to cling to power for life by increasing the powers of the Prime Minister's office. In addition to Yerevan, protests continue in other major cities of Armenia, including Gyumri and Vanadzor. Arus Hakobian, a journalist from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty covering the protests in Artashat, 30 kilometers from Yerevan, was also beaten. He reported that he was attacked by individuals while the police merely observed, and he was later taken away with a bloody mouth. Previously, Rayer Moradian, a journalist from the NGO 'Union of Informed Citizens,' was also beaten by unknown individuals and was hospitalized. The police have warned media activists to maintain a 'safe distance' from the protest sites, as the police are 'performing their legal duties' in these areas. The United States has urged both sides to show restraint and avoid violence. Russia has also stated that laws should not be violated. Additionally, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, expressing concern over police violence, has called on Armenian authorities to support the rights of freedom and civil protests in the country.