Thousands Rally In Armenia In Support Of New Premier

Yerevan, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Aug, 2018 ) :Thousands of Armenians rallied on Friday in Yerevan in support of the anti-corruption reformist Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, 100 days after mass anti-government protests propelled him to power.

Pashinyan led thousands of supporters who marched through the streets of the Armenian capital before gathering in Yerevan's central Republic Square.

"I want to report to you on what has been done since I was elected prime minister hundred days ago," Pashinyan told the rally.

After spearheading weeks of anti-government protests, Pashinyan was elected as Prime Minister in May, promising to stamp out official graft.

His crackdown on corruption has sparked military ally Moscow's anger with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warning Yerevan last month against targeting former officials.

Lavrov's warning came after former Armenian president Robert Kocharyan was charged with tipping a 2008 election in favour of his pro-Moscow successor.

Armenia's foreign ministry quickly tried to reassure Moscow that its foreign policy priorities remain focused on strengthening allied relations with Russia.

"We want that our strategic partner Russia and other countries respect our new government, don't meddle in our internal affairs. It's none of their business who is being prosecuted in Armenia," 24-year-old student Aram Amaryan told AFP at Friday's rally.

Kocharyan was on Monday released from pre-trial detention and announced a political comeback. Analysts said that the pro-Russian former leader is trying to mobilise opposition forces against Pashinyan's government.