HAK suing Yerevan Municipality

Armenia's Administrative Court is currently hearing a lawsuit filed by the opposition movement Armenian National Congress (HAK) against Yerevan's Municipality.

Earlier HAK had asked the Yerevan Municipality to authorize it holding a rally on Azatutyun (Liberty) Square on September 17, but the Yerevan Municipality had rejected it, pointing to the fact that another event had been scheduled at the same site on that day.

The Yerevan Municipality had instead allowed the HAK to hold the rally in the vicinities of Matenadaran. However, it had authorized the HAK to start the march from the Azatutyun Square - a symbolic venue opposition has traditionally used for rallies and demonstrations.

The HAK considers this decision as unlawful, as there had been no prior notification about another event scheduled on September 17 on Azatutyun Square.

"We require to annul the first passage of the first point of that decision," HAK lawyer Vahe Hovsepyan told Tert.am.

Asked whether or not there is hope that the court will rule in favor of their lawsuit Mr Hovsepyan said: "Not, of course!."

Further he said that it did not however mean that they are attending the hearing session with a sense of having already lost it.
Interestingly, the HAK has said it will appeal also to the European Court over the issue.