Social media warn that a physical attack is being prepared on Nikol Pashinyan, an oppositionist member of the Armenian Parliament, leader of the Civil Contact Party. Social media say the oppositionist must be attacked in crowd.
This warning on the possible attack on the oppositionist and possible leader of the protests in Khorenatsi Street where the seized police station is located emerged in media yet on July 20. A fake account on Facebook disseminated a post saying that Pashinyan is "an envoy of KGB and seeks to split the people."
The fake account urges users to spread his post and urges a physical attack on "betrayer" Pashinyan who has "enlisted the support of the group that seized the police station and report details to KGB."
Nikol Pashinyan talked to media on July 21 in the evening saying that after clashes near the seized building and talks with members of the armed loyalists of the jailed oppositionist Jirayr Sefilyan calling themselves "Daredevils of Sasoun," he was "politely recommended not to guide the protesters." "If the people believe that my presence harms the successful implementation of the power change, I will return to Khorenatsi Street only after protesters need me or when I make sure that there is something for us to do within our political programs," Pashinyan said.
"Throughout the period since July 17, all my actions met the strategy and policy of the Civil Contract Party that believes that the political crisis in the country can be resolved only through political dialogue," Pashinyan said. In his words, during the last 4 days, he had done everything to drive the tense situation to political dialogue.
"I have had no desire to assume the role of a moderator at any stage of the situation or lead the protesters in Khorenatsi Street," he said. Pashinyan said that after yesterday's developments when the people there were squabbling and insulting each other, he sees no reason to return to the persons "with quite doubtful goals and behavior." Anyway, the parliamentarian said, he and his supporters will do their utmost to protect both Pavel Manukyan, the leader of the armed group, and Valery Osipyan, the deputy head of the Yerevan police that is kept hostage at the seized building.