Under Article 32 of Armenian law on assembly, police must support conduction of peaceful rallies, member of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc said.

“Meanwhile, police urge the demonstrators to leave the area, announcing the recent rallies unauthorized,” Nikol Pashinyan said.

“Rallies serve a tool for criminals to become more active. During ANC rallies, former police chief dropped a hint that those people were police officers. They stir up violence. Do police bear responsibility for their actions?” Pashinyan said.

In response to the question, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan noted that serious changes were reported in the activities of the police.

“Rally participants say police officers’ efforts are aimed at ensuring the peaceful course of the rallies. We won’t let criminal elements meddle with rallies,” Prime Minister said.