Azatutyun Square Will Be Re-Opened for Assemblies: HAK

Armenian National Congress (HAK) has issued a statement over the recent incidents on Azatutyun (Liberty) Square near the Opera House in downtown Yerevan that saw several opposition activists denied entry to the Square and many taken to the police, three arrested with a journalist among them.

Azatutyun square has traditionally been a site for demonstrations and rallies.

The statement says that the authorities illegally closed and turned the Square into a construction site after the 1, 2 March 2008 events hopeful that the pan-national movement would fade away during that period.

"That plan failed, the hopes did not come true, and today, after the opening of the Square, the authorities are obliged to turn to crying unlawfulness by closing the entrance to the Square even for promenade," reads the statement, adding that it is only the representatives of opposition who are denied entry.

Further it says that HAK has not yet made any decision over organizing events on Azatutyun Square, but will provide all kind of support in an attempt to protect the rights of those citizens who will decide to held assemblies there.

"We assure you that Azatutyun Square will be opened and will continue to serve as a site for the expression of free word, expanding freedoms and realization of human rights as it used to be and will remain as such during the rule of this and the coming authorities. And today's law-offenders, those who give unlawful orders and those who are implementing them will be punished by all the strictness of the law," reads the statement.