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Armenia’s major cities gripped by opposition rallies

The road to Zvartnots International Airport was blocked in the morning

© Artiom Geodakyan/TASS

YEREVAN, April 26. /TASS/. Opposition rallies have gripped all major cities in Armenia. Local media reports say mass protests are underway in Gyumri, Vanadzor, Artashat, Artik, while the Artashat-Yerevan and Gyumri-Yerevan highways are closed. The road to Zvartnots International Airport was blocked in the morning. The police have not commented on the situation so far.

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Civil unrest continues to rage throughout Armenia

"I call on all my supporters to open all roads at 16:00 (15:00 Moscow time) and come to Yerevan to take part in a big rally. It is very important for our supporters to continue organizing acts of civil disobedience in all inhabited communities throughout the country," protest leader MP Nikol Pashinyan said on April 26, adding that he will answer all major questions in the evening at a rally on Republic Square.

On Monday, Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan elected by the parliament on April 17 resigned amid mass protests that broke out across the country on April 13. The opposition demands that "people’s candidate" Nikol Pashinyan be elected as the head of government.

The ruling Republican Party agreed to hold early parliamentary elections, but said the opposition’s demand was unconstitutional. Armenia’s new prime minister will be elected on May 1.

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