Brawl breaks out between environmentalists and Ministry representatives
A conflict has broken out between the representatives of the RA Ministry of Nature Protection and environmental activists on the way to Khosrov forest.
Over ten activists, including Mariam Sukhudyan and Yeghia Nersesyan, have reportedly closed the way of the bus which is taking the Ministry representatives and journalists to Khosrov reserve where they are scheduled to hold a consultation.
A1+'s journalist reports from the ground that one of the environmentalists has climbed to the roof of the bus, preventing the bus from continuing its route. The activists demand that they be included in the consultations, too.
This was preceded by a brawl between the environmentalists and representatives of the Ararat Marz Police. Ashot Mkrtchyan, Chief of the Ararat Marz Police, is also there.
Mariam Sukhudyan says the Ministry did not invite the activists to the meeting deliberately.
"We are convinced that they are going to legalize [during the discussions] the illegal construction underway in the Garni section of the reserve. The building belongs to [parliament speaker] Hovik Abrahamyan," she said.
At first, the journalists were not allowed to leave the bus to cover the incident. However, after the situation became uncontrollable, all came out of the bus, waiting for the Minister's arrival.
A1+'s journalist reports that Minister Aram Harutyunyan has allowed the angered environmentalists to participate in the consultations.
