Police forces deployed near Armenian Prosecutor’s Office ahead of rally

Police forces were deployed outside the Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office in Yerevan ahead of a rally in support of all political prisoners in the country.

The rally is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. local time, with participants expected to gather outside the Prosecutor General’s Office before marching towards the Shengavit District Court, where the trial of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and 17 of his supporters is underway.

Announcing the action, ARF Armenia leader and opposition MP Ishkhan Saghatelyan called on the people to join the protest.

“On 20 November, at 3 p.m., a protest will be held in front of the Prosecutor General’s Office in defense of all political prisoners, freedom of speech and democracy in Armenia, and against authoritarianism,” he wrote on Facebook. “After the demonstration, we will march to the Shengavit Court, where the trial of 18 just defendants is taking place. I call on everyone to join the protest and raise your voice against the unlawful acts and injustice.”