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Eight killed in Armenia protests | Eight killed in Armenia protests |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Eight people were killed in clashes in Armenia's capital Yerevan on Saturday between police and protesters alleging election fraud, police say. | Eight people were killed in clashes in Armenia's capital Yerevan on Saturday between police and protesters alleging election fraud, police say. |
The government has declared a state of emergency and troops and armoured cars are patrolling the centre of Yerevan. | The government has declared a state of emergency and troops and armoured cars are patrolling the centre of Yerevan. |
TV pictures showed burnt-out cars and smashed shop windows in the city. | TV pictures showed burnt-out cars and smashed shop windows in the city. |
There have been 11 days of protests over the 19 February presidential vote which gave a convincing win to Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian. | There have been 11 days of protests over the 19 February presidential vote which gave a convincing win to Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian. |
Appeals for calm | Appeals for calm |
Outgoing President Robert Kocharian declared the state of emergency late on Saturday after police used tear gas and fired shots in the air to break up a crowd of thousands of opposition demonstrators. | Outgoing President Robert Kocharian declared the state of emergency late on Saturday after police used tear gas and fired shots in the air to break up a crowd of thousands of opposition demonstrators. |
The shooting was constant and very heavy for more than an hour Lori, a Yerevan resident Eyewitnesses: Yerevan unrestTroops patrol bruised city | |
A police spokesman said that eight people were killed and 33 police officers injured in the clashes. He said several officers had been injured by gunfire. | A police spokesman said that eight people were killed and 33 police officers injured in the clashes. He said several officers had been injured by gunfire. |
By Sunday morning, calm had returned to Yerevan, with the city centre under tight security. | By Sunday morning, calm had returned to Yerevan, with the city centre under tight security. |
Opposition presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian has said he was under house arrest but recorded an appeal for his supporters to leave the streets. | Opposition presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian has said he was under house arrest but recorded an appeal for his supporters to leave the streets. |
The government has said Mr Ter-Petrosian is not being prevented from leaving his home. | |
The state of emergency declared by outgoing President Robert Kocharian bans public gatherings and imposes restrictions on media reports and is to remain in force until 20 March. | The state of emergency declared by outgoing President Robert Kocharian bans public gatherings and imposes restrictions on media reports and is to remain in force until 20 March. |
As he announced the emergency state, he appealed "to the people of Armenia to show restraint and understanding". | As he announced the emergency state, he appealed "to the people of Armenia to show restraint and understanding". |
Official results gave Mr Sarkisian 53% of the vote, with Mr Ter-Petrosian, a former president, getting 21.5%. | Official results gave Mr Sarkisian 53% of the vote, with Mr Ter-Petrosian, a former president, getting 21.5%. |
International observers judged the election in the ex-Soviet Caucasus republic to be generally democratic. | International observers judged the election in the ex-Soviet Caucasus republic to be generally democratic. |
But the opposition says the poll was rigged in favour of Mr Sarkisian, a close ally of Mr Kocharian, who is barred constitutionally from seeking a third term in office. | But the opposition says the poll was rigged in favour of Mr Sarkisian, a close ally of Mr Kocharian, who is barred constitutionally from seeking a third term in office. |
Correspondents say the unrest has risked destabilising a key Russian ally which lies between the energy-rich Caspian Sea and the markets of Europe. | Correspondents say the unrest has risked destabilising a key Russian ally which lies between the energy-rich Caspian Sea and the markets of Europe. |
The clashes broke out after security forces cleared an opposition protest camp from a city centre square on Saturday morning. | The clashes broke out after security forces cleared an opposition protest camp from a city centre square on Saturday morning. |
Protesters reassembled nearby and later in the day there were pitched battles between security forces and protesters. | Protesters reassembled nearby and later in the day there were pitched battles between security forces and protesters. |
Demonstrators hurled stones and petrol bombs, setting vehicles on fire, and police and troops responded with truncheons, tear gas and by firing bullets in the air. | Demonstrators hurled stones and petrol bombs, setting vehicles on fire, and police and troops responded with truncheons, tear gas and by firing bullets in the air. |