2008 Armenian presidential election protests

Thousands of peaceful protesters at Liberty Square on a typical evening

In the wake of the Armenian presidential election on February 19, 2008, mass protests against alleged electoral fraud were held in the capital city of Yerevan and organized by supporters of Levon Ter-Petrossian.

Peaceful protests, which had not been authorized by the government as required under the Armenian law, began on February 20 and lasted for 10-days at Liberty Square with tens of thousands of demonstrators during the day, and hundreds camping overnight. Despite the urges of the government to stop the unauthorized demonstrations, the protests continued till March 1st. On the morning of March 1, police and army troops dispersed the 700-1,000 persons who remained overnight. Clashes resulted in some violence between the police and the protesters. According to pro-opposition sources, the protesters were beaten with truncheons and electric-shock devices. Ter-Petrossian was placed on house arrest.

At noon on March 1, a crowd of "tens of thousands or more" held a rally in front of the French embassy. Law enforcement pulled away from the area by 4pm, while activists commandeered police buses and setup barricades. In the evening, clashes broke out between riot police and about 2,000 protesters who barricaded themselves at Miasnikyan Square. At around 10pm, President Robert Kocharyan, with the approval of the Armenian parliament, declared a 20-day state of emergency, banning future demonstrations and requiring the media from broadcasting any political news except those issued by official state press releases. Kocharian justified the decision on the grounds of a minority of demonstrators looting a nearby grocery store on Mashdots Avenue and setting fire to a handful of police vehicles and buses (while the riot police, special forces, and army looked on from 1 km away from Shahumyan Square). The police have "surrounded and sealed off" the opposition news agency A1+.

With the state of emergency in effect, at around 4am March 2, Levon Ter-Petrossian asked the protesters near the French Embassy to go home, thus ending the protests.

Human Rights Watch has condemned the Armenian authorities' use of "excessive force and violence" on the peaceful demonstrators.

Background

Levon Ter-Petrossian was the President of Armenia from October 16, 1991 to February 3, 1998. He was forced to step down in February 1998 on allegations of defeatism in connection to the ongoing negotiations with Azerbaijan over the defacto independent Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh. He was succeeded by his then Prime Minister Robert Kocharyan who was opposed to Ter-Petrossian's concessions to Azerbaijan. Kocharyan was re-elected for a second term as president on March 5, 2003 amid allegations of electoral fraud. In early 2004 there were demonstrations by opposition led protestors and calls for Kocharyan's resignation. Kocharyan completed his second term as president on February 2008 and under the Armenian constitution was not eligible for a third term. Kocharyan's Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan had Kocharyan's backing for his candidacy as the next president. Ter-Petrossian was also candidate for this election and had announced his candidacy in a speech in Yerevan on October 26, 2007 where he accused Kocharyan's government of massive corruption involving the theft of "at least three to four billion dollars" over the previous five years. The election was held on February 19, 2008 where Sargsyan won the election with 53% of the vote and Ter-Petrossian came in second with 22% of the vote. Under the electoral law in Armenia, if neither candidate wins at least 50% of the votes, the top two contenders have to face each other in the second round of the elections.

Timeline

The protests began on February 20; about 25,000 opposition supporters were reportedly present on February 21. Ter-Petrossian said that the army would not act against the protesters, claiming to have the support of two deputy defense ministers. An aide to Ter-Petrossian vowed that the protests would continue "nonstop" and demanded that the government agree to holding a new election by February 22. On February 21, two members of the Central Election Commission who are representatives of the opposition said that they did not accept the results, and on the next day, Hovhannisian resigned from his position as deputy speaker of parliament due to his disapproval of the handling of the election. Protests continued on February 22, and Deputy Prosecutor-General Gagik Jhangirian condemned the election, urging the people to act immediately to defend their votes, rather than complaining later about the government's behavior. A spokesperson for Prosecutor-General Aghvan Hovsepian asked Kocharyan to dismiss Jhangirian because he had involved himself in politics. The Defense Ministry denied Ter-Petrossian's claim that the two deputy defense ministers had said that they would prevent the army from being used against the protesters, but the veterans' group Yerkrapah disputed this denial.

Official permission for the protests was not given. Part of the cause for the protest is widespread belief of fraud in the the election, and the suppression of this belief. The government TV channel (H 1) has received criticism for failing to show the intense protesting, instead promoting a peaceful aura following the election.

February 22

On the third day of the protests, 22 February, the number of protesters was reported as about 30,000. Sarkisyan called the protests "blackmail' and said that if they violated the law, order would be restored through force. The opposition's Alexander Arzoumanian, however, said that the government did not have the courage to attempt to break up the protests. On 23 February, the number of protesters was reported as about 50,000. Kocharyan accused the opposition of trying to seize power and warned that the government would act to preserve order. Meanwhile, the police released a statement saying that they were "prepared to resolutely respond to any attempts to disturb public order and destabilize the situation, prevent extremist manifestations, and protect people's constitutional rights". The statement denied the rumored resignation of police chief Aik Arutyunian.

February 23

Jhangirian was dismissed as Deputy Prosecutor-General by Kocharyan on 23 February and detained later that day.

February 25

On February 25, the opposition announced at the Opera Square that Serj Sargsyan was preparing a counter-demonstration in Republic Square on February 26. Indeed, as of 5 pm on February 25, Republic Square is seeing a full stage, speakers, and lights being installed. It is rumored that attendants have been offered 3000 AMD (about 10 USD) to participate by the ruling party. The opposition encouraged rally participants to text message their friends to have 500,000 protesters the next day at Opera Square.

February 25 saw steady numbers of protesters at Opera Square during the day, estimated at 40-50,000. Ter-Petrossian made several appearances, and in each called for a peaceful rally, frequently alluding to the late-1980s when the Karabakh Committee was arrested by the Soviets. Ter-Petrossian said that he does not fear arrest nor assassination, and that if the ruling party had him killed, it would only accelerate its own demise. Also on February 25, Sarkis Chaghatzbanian, a Diasporan Armenian from France, spoke twice, and alluded to the participation of Armenians in revolutionary movements in France and Germany, and how the turn has come for Armenia. Around 10-15,000 people continued to participate in the rally well into midnight, some staying overnight in tents.

February 26

On February 26, there are widespread reports that high school administrators have been directed by the ruling party to have their students participate in the pro-Sargsyan rally being held in Republic Square. Many e-mail services have been blocked since the morning of February 26, including Hotmail, Gmail, and thick-client email programs using the IMAP protocol.

Several prominent supporters of Ter-Petrossian had been arrested by February 26. On that day, competing rallies were held, with Sargysan's supporters reported to number up to 100,000. Ter-Petrossian claimed that the numbers attending his rally had doubled because people were leaving Sargysan's rally to come to his. Meanwhile, the National Security Service said that it had prevented an opposition plot to seize a television broadcasting tower in Yerevan; it said that the purpose of this alleged plot, for which several people were arrested, was to enable Ter-Petrossian to make a live broadcast. An opposition spokesman dismissed this as "psychological pressure". Also on February 26, Kocharyan suggested that his government's patience with the protests had "a limit" and urged people to "come to their senses".

February 27

On February 27, an even larger group of protesters than previous days marched on the streets along Abovian and Mashdots Avenue. The evening again saw protester numbers in the tens of thousands, with an increasing number of tents The crowd is mixed. There are groups of villagers (tens in each), students, families with children, government workers, in addition to opposition leaders. Around 11:30 pm, some protesters started to rush towards the cafe adjacent to Liberty Square named "Karapi Lij" (Swan Lake). A protest leader announced that all available journalists should go there to photograph "something interesting" that was about to happen, and also called for the general populace to return to the square. Tens of military police, civil police, as well as secret police went inside the subterranean cafe, emerging after 15-20 minutes with 3 arrested suspects who were secret provocateurs with undercover recording equipment trying to get opposition leaders (who were in the cafe) to say or perform illegal acts. Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) acknowledged that the agents urging the opposition leaders to resort to violence were its employees. Secret police (which outnumbered uniformed police and military 3 to 1) would not allow journalists to take pictures, however some were able to (despite their threats of impending danger to journalists' personal safety or destruction of their cameras). The rally continued without interruption afterward.

February 28

On February 28, starting from the morning, police cars have surrounded the streets around Liberty Square, not allowing passengers to be dropped off or picked up, let alone to park.

February 29

As of the night of February 29, there are 132 tents setup in Liberty Square and occupied by 24-hour protesters. During the day, another march around town attracted an even larger group of ralliers, with at least 100,000 participants.

March 1

On March 1, at 7:30 am police violently dispersed the protesters, who were then reported to be about 15,000 strong, and broke up a tent camp being used by the protesters in Liberty Square. At least six people are missing, and Levon Ter-Petrossian was captured at Liberty Square and placed under house arrest. Police used bludgeons and electric shockers to beat and electrocute the peaceful ralliers. As of 11:00 am, Liberty Square was completely cordoned off by police and large water cannons were being used to clear the site of debris and blood (with riot police trying to prevent passersby from photographing). The Karapi Lich cafe was cordoned off with large canvas such that it could not be seen what took place inside. It is rumored that part of the Karabakh Army was brought in to do the actual beatings, since the police of Yerevan would be reluctant to do so.

At about 11:30 am, a peaceful march of about 1,000 people from near Liberty Square, down North Avenue, and to the French Embassy at Miyasnikyan Square (where riot police were quickly redeployed to). By 1:30 pm, a police armored personnel carrier was brought in, which the growing crowd quickly surrounded. By 2 pm, about 150,000 protesters -- larger than any other day -- had gathered at the square. By that time, there were about 3,000 riot police and special police forces. The sheer number of protesters outnumbered the police, who were forced by the peaceful protesters to retreat. By 5pm, all armored personnel carriers and all other military special vehicles as well as troops had been evacuated from the square. Protesters gradually confiscated the remaining buses and moved them to strategic locations to block incoming traffic to the square. It is notable that several provocateurs were detected by the crowd and swiftly removed (for example, there were at least two older women chanting things to get the people to disburse to other parts of Yerevan). At around 3:30 pm, an unmarked white police car drove straight through the crowd at high speed. At least two women were caught in the car's path and were taken to the hospital for injuries. The car was stopped by the crowd and set afire, as the policeman driving it fled the scene.

As of 6:30 pm, at least 30 bus loads each with about 30 army soldiers wielding AK-47s and M-16s were seen near Republic Square (in anticipation of Kocharian's state of emergency).

Around 10:30 pm, Kocharyan declared a 20-day state of emergency. This means that that "all rallies and other public gatherings will be banned in Yerevan until March 20. It also places serious restrictions on press freedom, with local media outlets allowed to report only official news communiqués."

March 2

By 12:00am, the area around the embassy had only about 5,000 activists left. The police stood about 1/2 km north at Shahumyan Square, passively watching as anarchy reigned on the area below. Miyasnikyan square to Mashdots Avenue is completely devoid of any law enforcement, and authorities have watched passively as some of the crowd has looted some stores. Despite calls from opposition leaders throughout the demonstrations to restrain use of violence, some in the crowd (allegedly encouraged by provocateurs ) have resorted to property destruction (of cars, windows, public places) and looting. As of 1:00am, several buses and cars had been destroyed, set ablaze, or turned over near Miyasnikyan square. As of 2:30 am, some of the bus loads of army soldiers were bused into Shahumyan square to join the rows of riot police. Demonstrators were seen armed with metal bars (removed from park gates) and Molotov cocktails made from water bottles.

Many of the demonstrators were not there to support Levon Ter-Petrossian particularly, but were there to show their support for a change in government. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that only a minority of the group resorted to looting, and most of the crowd stayed within the vicinity of Miyasnikyan Square.

As of 9am, Ter-Petrossian has urged his supporters to go home from the protest, citing Kocharian's state of emergency. The government has alleged that protesters were carrying firearms. However, other than metal bars and some Molotov cocktails, no reporters have seen arms in the possession of protesters.

As of 11 am, at least a dozen Army armored personnel carriers and about 500 soldiers wielding assault rifles are positioned in Republic Square, maintaining the state of emergency's policy of a ban on public demonstrations and meetings. The stage at Liberty Square has been surrounded by 6 army transportation trucks. Photography is strictly prohibited.

Yerevan was said to be all but a ghost town, with soldiers outnumbering citizens.

The National Assembly confirmed Kocharyan's state of emergency, with 81 of the 131 members of parliament present voting in favor of it.

Gallery

Wednesday, February 20

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  March from Matenadaran to Republic Square
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  March from Matenadaran to Republic Square
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  Rally at Opera Square

Thursday, February 21

Opera Square

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  Ter Petrossian announces non-intervention of military
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  Rally organizers encourage university students to skip class

Friday, February 22

Opera Square

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  Tents setup for 24-hour vigil

Saturday, February 23

Opera Square

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  Number of protesters increases to 35-50,000
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  Numbers holding at night
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  Dancing and festivities
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  Increasing number of tents

Sunday, February 24

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  More tents
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  Afternoon
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  30-40,000 at night
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  View southeast
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Saturday, March 1

• Aftermath of violent intervention by Armenian Special Forces at Liberty Square
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  Water tanks used to cleanup debris and blood
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  Random riot police marches in show of force
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  Military and riot police guard Liberty Square as police destroy evidence of clash using water tanks
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  Riot police block all entrances
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  Some troops being redeployed to Miyasnikyan Square
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  Popular march towards French Embassy
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  Popular march towards French Embassy

• 150,000 Man Spontaneous Demonstration at French Embassy
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  Riot police near Shahumyan Square
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  1pm: 1,000 citizens gather at French Embassy
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  1pm: Miasnikyan Square and French Embassy
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  1pm: Army transport trucks and anti-personnel water cannon
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  French embassy in background
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  1pm: Riot police formation and water cannon tank
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  Riot police, masked special forces, and Army soldiers
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  1:30pm: Police APC arrives to greet peaceful protesters
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  People surround APC within 10 minutes
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  General view east
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  Fresh waves of people from north of city arrive
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  1:50pm: Army evacuates when overwhelmed by angry crowd who chants "Turks! Turks!" at them
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  1:50pm: General view southeast
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  2pm:People demand that APC and military trucks and buses leave
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  2pm:Some riot police evacuate
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  2pm: Increasingly vocal crowd
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  2:10pm: APC leaves, crowd cheers
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  2:20pm: Bus commandeered by people
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  2:30pm: Almost all riot police evacuated
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  3:00pm: General view; police evacuated
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  3:30pm: Police car that raced through crowd is ablaze
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  4:30pm: General view