Armenian Police Detain Seven Pro-Iran Protesters

While Armenpress has not specified the nationalities of the detainees, CivilNet reported that they were Iranian nationals.

According to CivilNet, the protest had been authorized by the Yerevan Municipality on Thursday, January 15, but had its permit revoked the next day. The arrests began as protesters attempted to break through a police cordon.

CivilNet added that the Iranian Embassy was surrounded by a heavy police presence.

During the protest on Saturday, demonstrators accused Yerevan of acquiescing to Tehran’s demands that it put an end to the protests against the Iranian regime.

The demonstrations in solidarity with Iranian protesters were criticized by Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia, Khalil Shirgholami, who issued a statement reminding Armenia that Iran stood by it “during the most difficult times.”

“Now we are in a difficult situation. And the event that takes place now in front of the Iranian Embassy will remain in the historical memory of the Iranian people,” Shirgholami said, adding that a “perception is forming that Armenia is becoming a hub for the actions of forces hostile to Iran.”