Armenian Authorities Trying to Persuade Pashinyan to Stop Rallies

Yerevan / 23.04.18 / Turan: The Armenian President Armen Sargsyan issued a special statement urging the demonstrators to solve all the problems through negotiations.

Then, First Deputy Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan said he asked the prosecutor's office to delay the petition with the parliament to deprive Nikol Pashinyan of MP immunity. He said he intends to meet with Pashinyan and discuss the situation with him.

The Ministers of Defense, Justice and Foreign Affairs spoke today at press conferences and again called the demonstrators to a dialogue.

Meanwhile, the number of protesters continues to grow, and almost all universities and many state institutions have joined them. Local residents go to the capital to support the protesters from the regions of Armenia. -02D-

* * *

Military Men Join Protesters in Yerevan

Yerevan / 23.04.18 / Turan: More than a hundred soldiers have joined protesters in Armenia in mass rallies demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan.

As the Armenian media reported, rank-and-file soldiers together with officers of one of the military units came to protesters and headed a column of demonstrators. They are led by officers in the rank of colonel and lieutenant colonel.

The transition of military men to the side of the protesters can mean the beginning of a break and make a split in the ruling elite.

Since the morning of April 23, tens of thousands of protesters have resumed the blockade of Yerevan streets, demanding the release of the leaders of the protests, led by Nikol Pashinyan, who were arrested yesterday. -02B-