Nagorno-Karabakh opposition and activists support Yerevan protesters

In Nagorno-Karabakh, people support the demands of the protesters in Yerevan, but due to the ban on mass events, they cannot express their solidarity with them, local oppositional activists have stated. Residents of Karabakh agree with the need to change the leadership of Armenia, but see no worthy alternative to the incumbent power.

"Rallies may indicate that the current popular movement in many respects continues the national awakening that began 34 years ago (the Karabakh liberation movement, – note of the 'Caucasian Knot')," Ashot Gulyan, a former chairman of the Nagorno-Karabakh parliament, believes.

Asmik Mikaelyan, the chair of the NGO "Maternity", has called on the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh to review the decree banning mass events and think over actions to continue the political struggle for independence."

Narine Sarkisyan, a Stepanakert resident, believes that "not only the decree on the ban on mass events stops people in Artsakh from expressing their opinion on rallies in Yerevan, but also distrust of rally organizers."

"All of them had once been in power and did nothing to make Artsakh stronger and freer. Now, they have become the opposition and their calls have changed," Ms Sarkisyan has stated.