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Opposing Sides Clash at Yerevan's Pak Shouka -Photos

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  • Opposing Sides Clash at Yerevan's Pak Shouka -Photos

    Opposing Sides Clash at Yerevan's Pak Shouka -Photos

    Narek Aleksanyan

    http://hetq.am/eng/news/29026/opposing-sides-clash-at-yerevans-pak-shouka.html
    16:27, August 31, 2013


    Mayhem is probably the best word to describe the clash of interests
    that took place this afternoon at Yerevan's Pak Shouka (Enclosed
    Market).

    Citizen activists opposed to the construction that is taking place at
    the market, which was handed to businessman and ruling republican
    Party MP Samvel Aleksanyan, converged on the site, only to be met by a
    vociferous group of people in favour of the `improvements' they say
    are taking place.

    The iconic landmark, one of the few remaining in Yerevan, is seen as a
    litmus test for the growing civic movement in Armenia in terms of how
    many people it can mobilize to oppose the wanton disregard for the
    capital's few remaining structure of historical and cultural value.

    Those in favour of the what is taking place at the market called the
    protestors `outsiders' and went so far as to rip the banners of the
    opposing camp.

    Of particular note is that almost all in favour of the construction
    were women who claimed the improved market would afford many new
    jobs to area residents.

    The local rumour mill alleges that these women had been paid-off by
    Aleksanyan's henchmen to show up and give the impression that many are
    in favour of the construction.

    The scores of police at the scene at times seemed incapable of
    separating the two opposing sides. As a result, several scuffles broke
    out along with the traditional scenario of name calling and more
    strongly worded insults.

    MP Aleksanyan owns the Yerevan City chain of supermarkets in the
    capital and many fear the historic landmark will be converted into yet
    another run of the mill supermarket.

    The activists argue that the entire process of selling the structure
    to Aleksanyan and the granting of permission to make changes to the
    building was illegal and riddled with favoritism.

    For over a year, various state agencies, the Yerevan Municipality and
    the Ministry of Culture have come out with a number of conflicting
    statements regarding the matter, each passing the buck and blame to
    someone else.

    Several sections of the market's famous arches have already been
    destroyed and the insides gutted.

    The activists opposed to the construction say they will resort to all
    legal means, including civil disobedience to halt any further
    desecration of the market and to prevent any business from being
    conducted.




    From: A. Papazian
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