Since morning on 17 April, 2018, Nikol Pashinyan called on the participants of the demonstration to block government buildings, state bodies and other agencies, and to hindsr their normal functioning and disturb the work. The police have issued a statement.

The statement reads:

“In the afternoon, not many participants of the rally, led by Nikol Pashinyan’s calls, moved to the buildings located near the Republic Square and on his direct instructions began to block the public bodies, including separate ministries, executive authorities and law enforcement agencies, as well as entrances of court buildings.

At the same time, Nikol Pashinyan urged the participants of the rally to enter the blocked buildings upon the first opportunity and to paralyze the activities of the authorities operating there.

The Police of the Republic of Armenia states that the aforementioned actions are beyond the content of the right to organize and participate in peaceful assemblies guaranteed by the Constitution and law. Moreover, some of these manifestations coincide with the features of the criminal prosecution.

The Police of the Republic of Armenia states that in the current situation, especially when there is an informed decision to terminate the assembly, the legitimate grounds provided for by the Constitution and the law are available not only to disperse the assembly but also to prevent and suppress the ongoing criminal actions.

At the same time, the RA Police informs that the rumors about large-scale operations, revolutionary situations, tensions or instability in different regions and towns of Armenia are absolutely misinformation and have no relation with the reality, so Police calls to participants and media to refrain from such and other provocative behavior.

The Police assure that it will take all legal and legitimate measures to ensure the normal functioning of state structures and to protect the rights and legitimate interests of those who fulfill their obligations.”