March 1, 2008

Heritage Supplementary Statement

Heritage condemns the atrocious events that transpired on the morning of March 1 at Liberty Square, as well as ensuing developments that are still taking place. Once again, we denounce the use of brutal force against the peaceful participants of the rally, and the continued unlawful violence used again the peaceful citizens who gathered later across the French Embassy. National Assembly deputies of the Heritage party Anahit Bakhshyan, Stepan Safaryan, Armen Martirosyan, Zarouhi Postanjian, and Vardan Khatchatryan were present and stood between the people and the police, as they called on law enforcement agents to exercise restraint.

We express our admiration to the people of Armenia for showing such self-discipline in avoiding the traps of professional provocateurs. It is clear to us that there are agents of secret police implanted within the peaceful participants. It is their job to incite conflict. Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of the people, the representatives of President Levon Ter-Petrossian, and the activists of the Heritage party, their attempts were futile.

An unfortunate incident did take place today, however, when a group of provocateurs tried to attack a high ranking police officer. Their efforts were hindered by Heritage party member and parliamentarian Armen Martirosyan. As a result, Mr. Martirosyan was stabbed and hospitalized in the 3rd hospital, where he received immediate and urgent care. It is interesting to note that before the stabbing, one of the members of the group had yelled out “This is the deputy who asked a question to Serj.” It is evident that these provocations are well planned and that, if repeated, they will present a serious threat. We once again call upon the peaceful rally participants to restrain from responding to any such incitements.

Another fact that speaks of the premeditated plan is the fact that the TV news coverage of Armen Martirosyan was presented in such a way so as to lead people to think that Martirosyan was stabbed by the rally participants and not by special agents. This fact leads us to think that new plans are at work for new atrocities against the participants.

We also condemn the deployment of armed forces -- created to protect the frontiers of Armenia and the use of young new soldiers -- for use against the people.  We are outraged that the police did not render immediate medical assistance to the many injured citizens, including badly beaten children who could not be saved by the pleas of deputies of the Heritage party, as they witnessed the children being taken away at 9:00 a.m. to the Central police station.

Heritage finds that the unlawful actions of the authorities in power are provocative in nature and are aimed at worsening the already explosive situation. We declare that the responsibility lies solely with the authorities in power and demand that the violence and brutal suppressions be immediately ceased.

March 1, 2008, 8pm
Yerevan