Three historic attempts to close Baghramyan Avenue (video)
For the first time in the history of independent Armenia Baghramyan Avenue was closed in September, 1996. The reason for closing the avenue was the falsified presidential elections according to the opposition. The march started from Liberty Square. Presidential candidate Vazgen Manukyan was demanding to revoke the victory of Levon Ter-Petrosyan. President of the Central Electoral Committee Khachatur Bezirjyan was persistently refusing. In the evening the leader of the opposition took the people to Baghramyan Avenue and on entering the CEC announced, “If I don’t return in 15 minutes, follow me!” The people followed him. The bars of the parliament were broken, special units were attacked, president and vice president of the National Assembly were beaten. People were dispersed by water cannons, shots in the air and blackjacks. For the second time Baghramyan Avenue was closed in April, 2004, a year after the second round of the presidential elections. The demand was a bit different-to fulfill the verdict of the Constitutional Court, according to which one year after the presidential elections confidence referendum must be held. Robert Kocharyan was personally opposing. The opposition leader Stepan Demirchyan headed the people to Baghramyan Avenue from Matenadaran on April 12, 2004. On the same night the authorities brutally cleared the avenue from the protesters, detained more than hundred people and at dawn of April 13 Baghramyan Avenue was open for traffic. The third and the biggest attempt to close Baghramyan Avenue was initiated by No to Plunder initiative this year on June 22.The demand was from Serzh Sargsyan but it had no connection with the presidential elections. The young people urged Serzh Sargsyan to revoke the decision to increase electricity price by 7 drams. The latter offered to meet but the offer was refused. At dawn, the police less brutally but with the help of muscle-bound men and water cannons opened Baghramyan Avenue. In the evening of the same day the young people again closed Baghramyan Avenue and didn’t open it. The policemen every day have been announcing that the actions of the young people are illegal. The Police Chief and Serzh Sargsyan were personally urging to open. Their request was discussed and refused. Today is the 12th day of closing Baghramyan Avenue. By evening the policemen are majority there, in the evening the avenue is filled with the protesters, who raise a demand- cancellation.
