Armenian National Congress 21 Aug accused ad hoc committee investigating March 2008 post-election violence of stalling final report; parliament speaker 22 Aug said committee must present report by 15 Sept. Senior police officer charged with excessive force during post-election violence by Special Investigation Service. Hardline Dashnaksutyun party 25 Aug said process of Armenian-Turkish normalisation poses “serious dangers” for Armenia (see Armenia/Turkey).

Opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) 13 July issued statement of concern over govt concessions in revised Madrid Principles forming basis for continuing talks on resolving Karabakh conflict (See Nagorno-Karabakh). Hardline nationalist Dashnaksutiun party 14 July demanded resignation of FM Nalbandian for “failed” Karabakh policy. Nalbandian 20 July said Yerevan has not endorsed Madrid Principles, regards them as “basis for negotiations”. Fugitive opposition journalist Nikol Pashinian jailed after turning himself in 1 July; opposition said his arrest contrary to 19 June amnesty, reflects ongoing “political vendetta”.

President Sarkisian’s Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) won 31 May Yerevan municipal election with over 46% of vote (35 of 65 Council seats), defeating coalition member Prosperous Armenia (22%, 17 seats) and opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) candidate Ter-Petrosian (3rd with 17%, 13 seats). 2 main opposition groups claimed fraud; HAK 1 June vowed to boycott municipal council in front of rally of some 10,000. President Sarkisian 8 June dissolved task force investigating March 2008 post-election violence citing problems due to members’ political differences. Following 19 June parliamentary approval of general prisoner amnesty, some 28 opposition members released. U.S. reduced foreign assistance to Armenia citing slow progress on democratization.

Campaigning for 31 May Yerevan mayoral election, 1st in nearly 2 decades, began 2 May. Defence Minister Ohanian 6 May said Armenia pulled out of NATO exercises in Georgia due to NATO support for Azerbaijan in NK conflict. Armenia began importing natural gas from Iran.

Nationalist Dashnaktsutiun party 25 Apr quit 4-party coalition govt in protest at perceived concessions to Turkey. Coup attempt charges against opposition activists on trial for March 2008 post-election violence dropped 1 Apr; to be tried for “inciting mass disturbances”.

Former President Ter-Petrosian 1 March addressed first opposition rally since Oct, commemorating 1-yr anniversary of clashes between security forces, opposition. Rally passed without incident; opposition claimed turnout 100,000, authorities said 10,000. Opposition Armenian National Congress 15 March nominated Ter-Petrosian as candidate for 31 May Yerevan mayoral elections; Heritage Party 23 March announced support. Following increasing pressure on fixed exchange rate, Central Bank 3 March let dram float against dollar: initially depreciated 30%, causing panic-buying, price increases.

Umbrella opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) 9 Feb announced resumption of protests, suspended Oct by opposition leader Ter-Petrossian. 1st rally took place on 1 Mar anniversary of 2008 post-election violence, despite official ban; thousands participated, demanding early elections. Trial of 7 opposition members accused of instigating violence adjourned again. Deputy police chief shot dead 3 Feb outside Yerevan home. Following late-Jan Davos meeting between President Sarkisian and Turkish PM Erdogan, Sarkisian and FM met with Turkish FM Babacan 7 Feb in Munich for talks on normalising relations.

Following mid-month visit to Armenia by members of its monitoring committee, Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) 27 Jan adopted resolution expressing concern over persons detained following March 2008 post-election violence, but decided not to apply sanctions at this stage. Govt 13 Jan pardoned 9 more prisoners who had appealed for amnesty; around 60 remain in prison. Trial of 7 opposition members accused of instigating post-election violence repeatedly adjourned after defendants refused to stand for judge. Ombudsman 19 Jan criticized “excessive force” by riot police dispersing over 200 opposition supporters outside court 16 Jan. European Court of Human Rights 13 Jan ruled arrest of 3 opposition supporters contravenes freedom of assembly rules. Opposition 9 Jan threatened parliamentary boycott in protest at govt’s failure to address post-election crisis. After Turkish FM Babacan 16 Jan said Turkey and Armenia “never closer” to plan on normalizing relations, FM Nalbandian said Armenian position unchanged.

PACE Monitoring Mission 18 Dec criticised slow progress of investigation of March post-election violence, threatened to lift Armenian PACE voting rights. Trial of 7 opposition members accused of instigating March violence, including ex-FM Arzumanyan, started 19 Dec. President Sarkisian and Russian Gazprom chief Miller 1 Dec inaugurated gas pipeline from Iran.

On sidelines of 24 Nov Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC) meeting in Istanbul, FM Nalbandian met with Turkish counterpart and urged reopening of border (see Turkey). After 2 Nov signing of Moscow Declaration with Azeri President Aliyev, President Sarkisian 19 Nov consulted party leaders, promised nationwide referendum on any peace deal; Ter-Petrossian-led opposition movement boycotted meeting. Prominent investigative journalist beaten by 3 assailants 17 Nov, in 7th incident of violence against journalists this year.