At noon today, demonstrators attempted to gather in front of the Russian Embassy in Yerevan to protest what they describe as the recently rigged parliamentary elections in Russia and the arrest of hundreds of opposition activists in that country.

Armenian police stopped them from getting close to the embassy. Police Lieutenant Haykaz Jomardyan approached the oncoming crowd and told them the law prevented any such demonstration in the vicinity of the embassy. When asked which law specifically, he answered ‘the law of the Republic of Armenia’.

The police then suggested that the demonstrators assemble across the street. They did so.

Protestors then unfurled a number of banners and placards calling for the immediate release of opposition leaders and others arrested in Moscow and elsewhere in Russia.

Protestor Aren Manukyan said that by closing off the street, Armenian police were displaying their servility to the authorities in Russia. He added that the issue wasn’t a political but rather a civil one.

Artur Sakunts from the Vanadzor Helsinki Civil Assembly said that the illegal actions taking place in Russia were not only dangerous to Russians but to all freedom loving peoples and even though such protests do not provide immediate results, it was their duty to voice their displeasure and defend their rights.

The protest was organized by a recently formed group calling itself “Free Citizens”.