38 arrested in Armenia for demanding Pashinyan's resignation

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 May 2024 14:07
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Armenian authorities arrested 38 activists in Yerevan as protests, led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and voiced opposition to the border demarcation with Azerbaijan.

Armenian law enforcement officers detain a demonstrator in a protest against land transfer to Azerbaijan, in Yerevan, Armenia, on May 13, 2024. (AFP)

Armenian authorities detained 38 opposition activists engaged in protests across the streets of Yerevan, pressing for the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, as reported by the country's Interior Ministry's press service.

"The lawful demands of the police officers were not met by the activists, leading to all 38 being brought to police stations," the press service noted, with the update provided as of 9:50 am (local time).

Additionally, the ministry said, "Archbishop Bagrat, the leader of Armenia’s Tavush for the Motherland opposition movement, on Monday night called for tougher pressure on the authorities through civil disobedience."

In related events, thousands of protesters led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, convened in the Armenian capital to protest against the ongoing border demarcation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan following the Nagorno-Karabakh war, and to demand the resignation of the Prime Minister.

Armenia stops financing CSTO amid growing rift

Armenia announced on May 8 its decision to halt financial contributions to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) following the suspension of its membership in the Russian-led military alliance.

In a statement to the Sputnik news agency, Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalian declared that Armenia would abstain from endorsing the November 23, 2023 decision regarding the CSTO's budget for 2024. Consequently, Armenia will no longer partake in funding the organization's operations.

Badalian emphasized that while Armenia takes this stance, it will not obstruct other member states from fulfilling their financial obligations to the CSTO.

Over the past year, Armenia has refrained from engaging in high-level meetings, military drills, and other CSTO activities, effectively suspending its membership, as articulated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in February.

Pashinyan has consistently warned of Armenia's potential withdrawal from the alliance of six former Soviet states unless its concerns are addressed.