YEREVAN — The runner-up in Armenia's presidential election said Monday that he might challenge the official result, which gave Serzh Sargsyan a new five-year term and triggered street protests.
Opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian got 37 percent of the vote in the Feb. 18 election in the country of 3.2 million, Moscow's closest ally in the South Caucasus.
Hovannisian and his Heritage Party say the vote was rigged in favor of Sargsyan, who won 58.6 percent. The opposition has twice held protests, drawing several thousand people in Yerevan since the election.
(Reuters)
Related articles:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
