The March 1 events are the result of the October 27 tragedy: Stepan Demirchyan

Had not been the October 27 tragedy, there would not have been the March 1 events, the head of the Democratic Party of Armenia (DPA), Stepan Demirchyan, said at the DPA congress today.

"Had not been the October 27, there would not have been the March 1," said he.

October 27, 1999, saw a group of Armenian armed men storm the parliament and kill least eight people, including the then Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan and the then Chairman of the National Assembly Karen Demirchyan.

While the March 1, 2008 events, that were sparked by the 2008 disputed presidential election, left at least 10 people dead, several wounded and dozens jailed.

"The past years did not prove to be good for our country. The forged elections added to them," said Demirchyan, adding that the falsification of the 2008 presidential election resulted in the March 1 events.

"The protests, the rallies held by opposition were absolutely peaceful, but the authorities resorted to violence," he noted.

Further he mentioned that instead of ensuring an unbiased investigation into the March 1 events, the authorities started to shift the entire blame on the opposition, while simultaneously dozens of "made up criminal cases" were filed and "disgraceful court hearings were organized".

"We condemn this working style of the authorities and demand the release of Nikol Pashinyan, Sasun Michaelyan and other political prisoners," Demirchyan said.

"The page of the March 1 events will be turned only when all those responsible for those events and for the 10 deaths are be brought to court."