Vardges Gaspari

PHOTOS: POLICE BLOCK ACTIVISTS' POSTER DECRYING MURDERS IN ARMENIAN ARMY

14:29 epress 11.10.2011

At a regular Thursday protest outside the Armenian government building, upon seeing the placard held by well-known activist Vardges Gaspari which read "In the army: they murder, commit suicide, terrorize the parents of those killed and silence them", two police officers approached him and stood directly in front of him, effectively blocking the placard.

Afterwards, Tsovinar Nazaryan, sister of Lieutenant Artak Nazaryan who died suddenly while serving during peacetime in July 2010, held the placard. Police then moved and stood in front of Tsovinar.

"As we saw, when I was holding the poster, these two officers came and stood in front of me, while now that Tsovinar is holding the poster, they've gone and stood in front of her. This means that police have reservations not against a person but to silence the voice of justice.

The police today are standing beside the same murderers who kill in the army. Police doesn't allow for voices to be raised. Why are they blocking the poster?" said Vardges Gaspari.

A little while later, the two activists moved from where they were standing, but police didn't move with them this time. Later, Gaspari and Nazaryan, joined by fellow activist Lala Aslikyan (pictured smiling, above), tried to again stand in their original spot, but three officers stood in front of the protestors and stayed there till the end of the group's demonstration.

Gaspari (pictured, above and below) attempted to hold the poster as high as possible, as those exiting the government building would be able to see it.

A few government officials, after their regular Thursday meeting, left the building from the main entrance; however, newly appointed RA Police Chief Vladimir Gasparyan, who was participating in the government session for the first time, was not among them. It is assumed he left the building from the rear entrance.

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