Traffic collapse in Yerevan center; protesters blocking streets

Actions under a civil disobedience plan caused by nomination of the former president Serzh Sargsyan to the prime minister’s post have started in Yerevan this morning. According to the plan prepared by the #MyStep movement leader, opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan, many central streets of the capital are blocked, while the city center is facing a traffic collapse.

Young people in small groups have been blockading transport routes in the streets; garbage bins are used as barricades. At the same time, they claim that this is a peaceful demonstration, apologizing to the citizens for inconvenience, arguing that in this way they save them from more trouble, what they will face when Serzh Sargsyan comes to power again. The Liberty, Arshakunyats, Baghramyan and Mashtots Avenues, as well as Abovyan, Moskovyan, Tumanyan, Khanjyan, Koryun, and some other streets are currently blocked. Police do not let people enter the Friendship metro station. Many drivers leave their cars in the middle of the streets, thereby making traffic jams.

Pashinyan himself, showing an example to citizens, along with several supporters sat down in front of a bus in Baghramyan Avenue, blocking its way. He encourages everyone to join in the action and move on foot to the parliament building on Baghramyan Avenue, where on April 17 the voting on electing the prime minister is to be held and the ruling party leader Serzh Sargsyan is the only candidate running to this post.

On the eve of April 15, speaking at the France Square, where non-stop protests against the Serzh Sargsyan nomination had been passing for four days, Pashinyan called for civil disobedience. He called to block the bridges and streets of Yerevan, to hamper the metro functioning, and also to organize strikes, involving students and school pupils.