The deputies joined about two dozen ordinary people on Thursday in protesting against a controversial ban on street trade imposed by Yerevan Mayor Karen Karapetian recently. Riot police pushed the protesters away from the building, threatening and verbally abusing some of them in the process.
Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian received two Zharangutyun lawmakers shortly after the incident. He ordered the police to conduct an internal inquiry into the incident.
A police spokesman told RFE/RL’s Armenian on Friday that police officers who clashed with the tiny crowd have been cleared of any wrongdoing.
A police statement issued the previous evening also defended their actions, saying that the protesters disrupted “public order” and ignored “legitimate police demands.” The statement also claimed that demonstrations held outside the prime minister’s office “impede the normal work of Armenia’s government.”
One of the Zharangutyun deputies, Armen Martirosian insisted that small demonstrations outside the prime minister’s office are legal and again accused the police of breaking the law. He said Zharangutyun will file a lawsuit against the senior police officers responsible for the use of force.
The police were also criticized by Galust Sahakian, the parliamentary leader of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK). “It is very unfortunate that such an incident took place,” Sahakian told journalists. “Parliamentarians are outraged and think that regardless of circumstances, there must be proper treatment of deputies.”
The two other major opposition forces, the Armenian National Congress and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, deplored the police actions in stronger terms.