The US Department of State has included Yerevan in its 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Armenia. The report covers the period from September 19, 2023, until September 30, 2023, and highlights the protests against the regime in response to Azerbaijan’s military actions in Artsakh.

According to the report, the protests were met with repression, resulting in the detention and mistreatment of activists, including opposition leaders and foreign individuals. The government building where the Prime Minister was located was also targeted for destruction. The authorities used excessive force in response to the violence.

The report further notes that tear gas and rubber bullets were used by the authorities to maintain their power during the protests. A specific incident involving violence against former Prime Minister Levon Kocharyan is also mentioned in the report.

The Armenian National Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee on Violence During Demonstrations has initiated a criminal case against 58 individuals, with 46 of them formally charged with incitement. As of November 3, 28 individuals remain in custody.

The Ministry of Health reported that 34 people, including civilians and law enforcement officers, were injured during the events on September 20. However, the severity of their injuries and the extent of the damage were not specified.

Opposition figures, such as political activist Suren Sahakyan, have been using Yerevan’s central square as a platform for discussions on national security issues. This is despite the closure of the main street leading to the city center since 2022 due to previous protests.

On November 25, members of the “Zang” movement carried out an action of “carrying a coffin” on Machtots Avenue in an attempt to draw attention to their cause.

These are the latest developments in Armenia, as reported by NEWS.am.