Protesters block roads across Armenia in stand-off with authorities

Armenian protesters blocked roads in and around the capital on Wednesday, responding to a call from opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan for a campaign of civil disobedience to force the ruling elite to relinquish its grip on power. Ex-Soviet Armenia is locked in a political crisis after the ruling party, severely weakened after days of protests that forced its nominee for prime minister to quit, dug in its heels and refused to back Pashinyan to replace him.

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Protesters block roads across Armenia in stand-off with authorities

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Protesters block roads across Armenia in stand-off with authorities

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Protesters block roads across Armenia in stand-off with authorities

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Protesters block roads across Armenia in stand-off with authorities

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Protesters block roads across Armenia in stand-off with authorities

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Protesters block roads across Armenia in stand-off with authorities

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Protesters block roads across Armenia in stand-off with authorities

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Protesters block roads across Armenia in stand-off with authorities

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Protesters block roads across Armenia in stand-off with authorities