Protest March from Tavush to Yerevan, Led by Armenian Archbishop, Continues

On Monday, hundreds of protesters led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan continued their march from Tavush to Yerevan, opposing the Armenian government's decision to cede key border areas to Azerbaijan. The march, filled with Christian prayers and songs, began its day in Sevan and ended in Hrazdan. The group covered approximately 21 kilometers (13 miles).

The protesters, accompanied by a procession of cars, plan to reach Yerevan by Thursday (May 9). They are demanding an immediate stop to the land handover, which they argue poses severe security risks for Tavush and Armenia. The movement has garnered substantial support from various opposition groups and public figures critical of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Archbishop Galstanyan, supported by the Armenian Apostolic Church, says he has no political aims instead, emphasizing the spiritual foundation of their protest. "The whole essence, basis of our movement is spiritual," he said. "The truth must defeat lies in our country.  As for the cost and the price of that, we’ll see."

Despite the peaceful nature of the march, it has faced criticism from Pashinyan's allies. Narek Babayan, a lawmaker from Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party, argued that the protest could destabilize Armenia. "This is a process aimed at leading Armenia to war and turning Armenia into a remote province of Russia," Babayan said, expressing doubt that the Armenian public would support the march.

Countering these claims, Galstanyan suggested that the prime minister and his team are apprehensive about the protest's impact, hinting at discrete support from some ruling party members. "They are scared," he claimed. "Some senior members of the ruling party are already sending us confidential messages as to how they could join in."

As the march progresses, all eyes are on its arrival in Yerevan, the country remains braced for its potential political and social implications.

The Armenian Report’s correspondent continues to cover the march. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for up-to-the-minute video updates from the march.