Riot police used force on Friday to disperse more than 200 opposition
supporters outside a court in Yerevan where seven prominent opposition members
stood trial on controversial coup charges.



Court hearings in the trial were adjourned just minutes after their start for
the sixth consecutive time because of the defendants’ continuing refusal to
stand up and show respect for Mnatsakan Martirosian, the judge in the
high-profile case. Martirosian again deemed their defiant stance a
“disrespectful attitude to the court.” He scheduled the next court session for
January 30.



Moments later the people that gathered outside the court building in a show of
solidarity with the defendants tried to march to the Office of the
Prosecutor-General located in the city center. Dozens of riot police blocked
their way, saying the protest was not sanctioned by municipal authorities and is
interfering with street traffic.



Scuffles and arguments between protesters and the police followed. “Get out of
here!” shouted once officer. A woman with a bloodied face screamed in the
meantime. Another protester, an elderly man, was hit by Robert Melkumian, a
police colonel leading the protest break-up, when he strayed off the sidewalk.




The crowd was pushed back and split into three sections before dispersing an
hour later.

See photos at
www.hra.am/arm/?page=issue&id=19240