page_title: 2008 Armenian presidential election protests
section_title: Aftermath
hierarchical_section_title: 2008 Armenian presidential election protests / Aftermath
caption_attribution_description: The first day after the 20-day state of emergency had been lifted after the Armenian presidential election protests. Between 5pm and 7pm, about 1,000 citizens -- mostly women -- participated in a peaceful and silent protest and vigil to remember those who died on March 1, condemn the government's actions, and to recognize the more than 100 political prisoners. In this picture (4:50 pm), a general view of Liberty Square with riot police, special forces, and army presence who have cordoned off the square in order to prevent citizens from holding their protest there (all other major squares in Yerevan were likewise cordoned off). (Note that photography was not allowed.)
context_page_description: A series of mass protests were held in Armenia in the wake of the Armenian presidential election of 19 February 2008. Mass protests against alleged electoral fraud were held in the capital city of Yerevan and organised by supporters of the unsuccessful presidential candidate and first President of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan.
  The protests began on 20 February, lasted for 10 days in Yerevan's Freedom Square, and involved tens of thousands of demonstrators during the day and hundreds camping out overnight. Despite the urges of the government to stop the demonstrations, the protests continued until 1 March. After nine days of peaceful protests at the Freedom Square, the national police and military forces tried to disperse the protesters on 1 March. On the morning of 1 March, police and army units dispersed the 700–1,000 persons who remained overnight, beating them with truncheons and electric-shock devices. As a result, 10 people were killed. As of 4 March, many protesters were still missing. On 1 March, Ter-Petrosyan was placed under de facto house arrest.
  At noon on 1 March, a crowd of at least 10,000 protesters held a rally in front of the French Embassy.
context_section_description: The Armenian police arrested 30 protestors accusing them of starting the riot.
  The Armenian Medical Centre (the former Republican hospital) treated civilians which had concussions from the beating by the police in connection with arrest. A number of them claimed to have been persons only passing by the demonstration. One patient had been hit by a bullet which had perforated his jaw and he could not speak. Another civilian could not be visited as he was in severe condition and held in reanimation.
  Several civilians who had sought medical assistance following the riots of 1 March had been denied assistance or turned down by the some hospitals. Also, it happened that patients released from the hospitals had been immediately arrested.
  At least 106 members of the opposition have been arrested, and Levon Ter-Petrosyan has been under de facto house arrest since 1 March.
caption: Since 2 March, riot police and army occupy and block access to Freedom Square as well as to other major squares in Yerevan
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