Controversial demonstrations, both pro-Russian military base and anti-Russian military base, occur in the Armenian city of Gyumri
In the heart of Armenia, a series of protests have erupted, expressing varied sentiments towards the country's military alliance with Russia.
On one side, two protests were held in support of Russia's military presence in Armenia, with members of the Communist party and the Mother Armenia initiative voicing their backing. The Russian 102nd Military Base, established in the 1940s and believed to house over 3,000 Russian military personnel, has been a crucial base of operations in the South Caucasus.
However, a different narrative was painted by pro-Western demonstrators who gathered near a checkpoint leading to the military base. They demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from Armenia, echoing the sentiments of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who has expressed doubts about Russia still being a security guarantor for Armenia and suggested it might pose a security risk amid the conflict with Azerbaijan and the lack of support from the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Arman Babajanyan, the leader of the For the Republic party, organized a pro-Western protest, listing steps that could lead to the removal of the base from Armenia. Artur Sakunts, the head of the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly - Vanadzor, was present at the protest, demanding that the financing of the base from Armenia's state budget be stopped.
The protests took place amidst a heavy police presence, with all roads leading to the military base reportedly closed. Notably, loud Armenian and Russian music could be heard playing from inside the base.
A third protest was held by pro-Western protesters calling for the removal of the military base, and an argument occurred between members of the Communist party and employees of the municipality during a protest at the Mother Armenia memorial.
The Russian 102nd Military Base has been embroiled in several controversies, including the alleged detention and abduction of a Russian military deserter, Dimitry Setrakov, from Gyumri to Russia - reportedly without the Armenian government's knowledge.
As the political landscape in Armenia shifts, the issue of the Russian military presence is becoming a hot topic, with Babajanyan stating that developments, including geopolitical ones, will force the authorities to move forward. If they do not, he suggested, the people will force them to make the issue a priority in upcoming elections.
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