"If the National Assembly approves the draft constitutional reforms, I call on Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to exercise a veto," Levon Zurabyan, member of the Armenian National Congress faction, said near the Parliament building, when addressing the demonstrators protesting against the constitutional reforms.
Zurabyan said that Serzh Sargsyan has both opportunities and time to hinder the draft reforms. "For the sake of nationwide consolidation, I urge the President not to ratify the draft reforms," he said, noting at the same time that Serzh Sargsyan is unlikely to do what the demonstrators demand. Zurabyan called on the demonstrators to make their way to the Arabkir police station and demand releasing the detainees. "After that we will present the plan of further actions," said Zurabyan. Valery Osipyan, Deputy Chief of Yerevan Police, promised that the detainees would be set free after an administrative procedure.
To note, the "No!" movement is holding a protest action near the Armenian Parliament building. The movement is protesting against the constitutional reforms. Earlier on Monday, an ArmInfo correspondent reported from the scene that some clashes occurred because the police did not let the protesters fasten their posters to the fence. The police have detained 21 demonstrators. To recall, on October 5, the National Assembly adopted the draft reforms with 104 "pros". By ArmInfo's data, the referendum on the reforms will be held on December 6. According to ArmInfo's sources, the campaign headquarters will be headed by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, who will take a leave for that period.