Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2008

An early afternoon tip-off alerted me to the probable repeat of yesterday’s action to mark the lifting of the state of emergency. However, few people had gathered by Liberty Square — again occupied by riot police who refused entry — and I was later told that the protest would happen an hour and a half later at 6.30pm. As it was, even that didn’t happen although a number of those directly involved in Ter-Petrossian’s campaign did join less than a hundred protesters. Among them were the wives of Alexander Arzumanian and Nikol Pashinian as well as David Shahnazaryan.

Another tip conveyed to me through a Western journalist contact also informed me that if there was a repeat of yesterday’s action, riot police would use force to disperse it. As it was, the police gathered around the Opera to prevent protesters entering were rather offensive and apparently ignorant of the law. I was constantly informed that despite wearing journalist accreditation I could not take photographs. As usual, and despite effectively asking for trouble, I told them that they did not know the law. Actually, I raised my voice in protest and continued shooting along with a photographer from Photolure.

One day I’m sure this is going to get me into a lot of trouble as the commanders of the police in such instances now know me by sight very well. Even speaking English doesn’t help as at last year’s commemoration of the taking off of A1 Plus from the air, the commander of the police present came up and told me he knew I understood some Armenian after overhearing me speaking to A1 Plus’ Victoria Abrahamian. The same guy was overseeing today’s action and again told me not to take any photos.

I “had taken enough,” he said. Still, nobody bothered to instruct me after I basically refused. Even so, when the shit hits the fan I have to wonder whether some kind of “revenge” will be taken.

The full post accompanied by photographs is on the Armenia Election Monitor 2008.