Armenia Protests Against Territory Transfer to Azerbaijan, Demanding Pashinyan's Resignation
Mass protests have erupted in Armenia due to the transfer of four border villages to Azerbaijan. People are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
On May 27, residents of Armenia protested against the transfer of four border villages to Azerbaijan. Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
The police have already detained hundreds of participants in the protests, reports Radio Azatutyun.
The protests erupted after Armenia agreed to transfer four villages in the Tavush region to Azerbaijan. Nikol Pashinyan had previously explained this decision as necessary to prevent military aggression.
The opposition has proposed Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, who heads the Tavush diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, as Prime Minister. He has become the leader of the protest movement demanding a change in the country's leadership.
According to News.am, the protesters blocked the Yerevan-Armavir highway, leading to Russia, and the Yerevan-Ashtarak road, leading to Iran. Streets in Yerevan were also blocked.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia reports that by morning, the police had detained 226 participants in the protests. Most of them are accused of administrative offenses for disobeying the police, writes Armenpress. Clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers occurred during the actions.
The night before, on May 26, a massive protest was held in Yerevan, demanding Pashinyan's resignation. Demonstrators marched to the Prime Minister's residence, but Pashinyan was not in Yerevan at that time. There were no clashes that evening.