Movement of trains suspended in Armenia

  02 May 2018    Read: 1771
Movement of trains suspended in Armenia

South Caucasus Railways CJSC (a 100-percent subsidiary of Russian Railways) temporarily stopped the movement of trains as protesters in Armenia blocked railway crossings, the press service of the SCR announced, RIA Novosti reported.

Earlier on May 2, supporters of opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan, who was not elected by the Armenian Parliament as the country’s Prime Minister the day before, began to block streets, roads, highways and bridges throughout the country.

"In connection with the mass blockage of railway crossings by citizens, in coordination with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and IT of Armenia, SCR CJSC temporarily stops the implementation of passenger transportation in the suburban traffic and cargo transportation for the period the roads are blocked," reads SCR's statement.

SCR noted that the priority for it is the safety of citizens, passengers and cargo, the guarantee of which is impossible in full in the conditions of unauthorized road closures and interference in the work of railway transport.


"The movement of trains is suspended also for safety of the citizens blocking railway tracks," says the message.

The company urged the protesters not to interfere with the regular operation of the railways in Armenia, and to comply with safety rules on the railways.

On May 1, the Parliament of Armenia failed to elect the leader of the protest movement Nikol Pashinyan as the head of the government. Forty-five MPs voted for him, while 53 votes were required. According to the law, in a week the Parliament will try to re-elect the Prime Minister. Otherwise, the legislative body will be automatically dissolved.

Actions against the election of former President Serzh Sargsyan as Armenia's Prime Minister began on April 13. The opposition accuses Sargsyan, who was twice elected President, of poor governance and deterioration of economic situation in the country. On April 17, the opposition announced the beginning of the "velvet revolution". Despite the protests, the Armenian Parliament elected Sargsyan head of the Cabinet on the same day. Less than a week later, on April 23, Sargsyan resigned amid continuing protests.


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