In Armenia state servants are forced carrying the Russian flag to take part in the events in which Russian President Vladimir Putin is taking part within the frames of his visit to Armenia, a member of the parliament from the Heritage party, Zarui Postanjan, said in the parliament today.
She said that they have already received complaints from some state servants saying that their leaders force them to take part in the events, and asked the speaker of the parliament, Hovik Abrahamyan, if he also received such complaints and what is his stance on the matter. Abrahamyan replied that he did not receive such complaints and does not support such actions.
For their part, the opposition members of the parliament, Nikol Pashinyan and Aleksandr Arzumanyan, said that during the protest action the Police illegally detained more than a dozen of activists, breaking their right for holding of mass actions. They asked the speaker of the parliament to call the head of the Police and to come forward with a statement condemning actions of the law-enforcement agencies.
Hovik Abrahamyan said that 10 activists were detained and administrative protocols were made regarding 5 of them. Moreover, he promises that all the detained activists protesting against Putin's visit, will be set free in several hours.
Five activists were detained after they tried to hang banners "Serzhik's father has arrived!" and "No Customs Colonization!" in the city. Earlier today, activists hanged a colorful bathrobe and a boot over the underground passage in Khanjyan Street.
To recall, Vladimir Putin arrived in Armenia early in the morning today. A public interest group of the citizens of Armenia who oppose Armenia's accession to the Russia-led Customs Union is expected to start a protest action in the Liberty Square in Armenia on December 2. The protesters will march along the Northern Ave, Republic Square, Amiryan Street, Mashtots Ave, to the President's residence on Baghramyan Ave.