Various political and civil groups staged anti-government protests in Armenia in 2013. The first series of protests were held following the 2013 presidential election and were led by the former presidential candidate Raffi Hovannisian. Hovannisian, who, according to official results, lost to incumbent Serzh Sargsyan, denounced the results claiming they were rigged. Starting on 19 February, Hovannisian and his supporters held mass rallies in Yerevan's Freedom Square and other cities. On 10 March, Hovannisian started a hunger strike, calling elected President Sargsyan to resign before 9 April, the inauguration day. Hovannisian called "for the solution of this unprecedented pan-national fundamental issue before April 9." During an interview on 18 March 2013, Sargsyan said he would not visit Hovannisian and described his claims as "arrogant phrases seasoned with obscenities". Sargsyan was inaugurated on 9 April 2013, while Hovannisian and thousands of people gathered in the streets of Yerevan to protest it, clashing with the police forces blocking the way to the Presidential Palace. Hovannisian's movement was dubbed "Barevolution", a portmanteau of barev (բարև, "hello") and revolution, referring to Raffi Hovannisian's habit of walking up to people and greeting them during the election campaign.
Since early May 2013, a number of non-formal opposition groups, such as veterans of the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, have protested against the government of Serzh Sargsyan. The Pre-Parliament civil initiative also held a number of rallies in Yerevan and other cities calling for alternative struggle against the government. Following an announcement on 20 July 2013 of increases in public transportation fares, young activists (mostly students) held various kinds of protests throughout central Yerevan against the decision. It was described as the first ever act of civil disobedience in independent Armenian history. On 5 November, a small violent protest took place in central Yerevan organized by opposition activist Shant Harutyunyan and calling for an overthrow of the government. A series of rallies were held against Armenia's future membership of Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia, including on 2 December during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit and on 23 December against the gas deal with Russia.
'Barevolution'
Background
The runner-up Raffi Hovannisian didn't recognize the legitimacy of the election and on late night of 18 February 2013, he claimed victory in a press conference, stating "We all know that we have won", continuing "for the first time in 20 years the citizens have said yes to our constitution, to the rule of law, to democracy and our future."
However, the international observers gave an overall positive assessment of the conduct of the presidential elections in which Serzh Sargsyan was reelected for the second term. Sargsyan also received congratulations from EU, Council of Europe, NATO as well as from the presidents of major powers such as United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France, Iran, Turkey and many others.
Early stage (19 February–10 March) On 19 February, a mass of his supporters gathered in Yerevan's Freedom Square, where Hovannisian urged President Sargsyan to accept "people's victory" and concede his defeat. Armenia's former PM Hrant Bagratyan, who came in the third place, claimed that "authorities tried to stop Hovannisian from winning" and the next day, he urged Hovannisian and Sargsyan to sit at the negotiating table, stating that the election was "not free and unfair" and saw "willing to hold talks". He called on "Raffi Hovannisian and Serzh Sargsyan to sit at the negotiating table and try to find the way out of the situation. Otherwise, it will be impossible to avoid further escalation and clashes." On 19 February 2013, several activists broke into press conference held by OSCE PA election observers and screamed "Stop Legitimizing Fraudulent Elections in Armenia". The observers walked out of the hall and asked for a written statement by the activists in Armenian or English.
On 20 February 2013, Hovannisian and his supporters gathered in the Freedom Square. Hovannisian once gain claimed victory and called the people to stay in the square until tomorrow and meet President Sargsyan whose ruling party is expected to hold a rally there. Opposition politician Nikol Pashinyan joined Hovannisian and addressed the people in Freedom Square.
On 21 February 2013, Hovannisian and Sargsyan met in the Presidential Palace in Yerevan. First, he told a group of his supporters that he was heading for negotiations with Sargsyan, then marched up to the Presidential Palace on Baghramyan Street. The meeting with incumbent President lasted for more than two hours. According to Hovannisian they discussed ways to end the post-election dispute. After Hovannisian left the palace, he said to the gathered crowd of his supporters that "It is not Serzh versus Raffi" and continued that "We are committed to our victory and the Armenian people will have their victory tomorrow." He later announced to his supporters in Freedom Square that he will disclose the details of the meeting tomorrow.
The demonstrations continued on 22 February 2013, with Raffi Hovannisian announcing about yesterday's meeting with incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan. According to Hovannisian, he demanded Sargsyan to accept the will of the people and Sargsyan said "no". Armen Martirosyan, a former MP from Hovannisian's Heritage party, claimed that Ashot Giziryan, the Republican governor of Shirak Province, where Hovannisian won the biggest support, had resigned because of "not enough electoral fraud", while Giziryan himself said "I conceded my defeat and tendered resignation. Let Raffi now concede his defeat."
Another major opposition party, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, joined Hovannisian's rally. ARF Council member Armen Rustamyan addressed the crowd saying that "this is an unstoppable movement to establish the rule of the people." Andrias Ghukasyan, one of the candidates, who did not actively participate in the election, because he was performing a hunger strike against "fake elections", later joined the rally and stated that "the fake elections showed that state cannot be fair, but people displayed their will and came to congratulate Raffi Hovannisian who managed to consolidate Armenian society." Famous Armenian singer-songwriter Ruben Hakhverdyan was also present at the rally. In particular, his statements such as "I don't care for the opinion of those at the top" sparked enthusiasm among the crowd.
At the end, Hovannisian called the crowd to continue the "peaceful and constitutional struggle" and informed that he and his supporters will be touring throughout Armenia "to take the victory and greetings." He said they will be in Ashtarak, Vanadzor and Gyumri. The rally ended with a march.
On 23 February 2013, Hovannisian traveled throughout Armenia. He visited the cities of Gyumri, Vanadzor, Ashtarak, Spitak, Aparan where thousands gathered to hear his speech and the "victory celebration". In Gyumri, Armenia's second largest city, where Hovannisian defeated Sargsyan by over 40%, he claimed that he is "not issuing ultimatums but it must be evident to the third president [Sargsyan] respected by me that it's time to transfer power to the people of Armenia." On 23 February 2013, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the first President and the leader of the Armenian National Congress, declared that "the results are obvious to me: [President] Serzh Sargsyan was not elected and the winner is Raffi Hovannisian. I have no doubts whatsoever." He also talked about the possibility of joining the protests.
On 24 February 2013, a short rally took place in the Freedom Square, where thousands of his supporters were gathered. He in particular announced that "Freedom Square recognizes no party any more, since here stand Armenian people, who in the past elections voted for the Heritage, Armenian National Congress, Prosperous Armenia and even for the Republican Party." Hovannisian claimed that "our only salvation is in our unity." Nikol Pashinyan, one of Hovannisian's main supporting opposition politicians, urged Hovannisian to for a new government that would be confirmed by direct democratic practices on the Freedom Square.
On 25 February 2013, Hovannisian held a press conference, where he talked about the current situation in Armenia. He said there is a possibility of appealing the election results in the Constitutional Court. He also claimed that Sargsyan offered him to wait until 2017 and 2018, which was rejected.
On 25 February 2013, several hundred university students declared a student strike against electoral fraud during the election. Students from the Yerevan State University started the strike, later students from the Yerevan State Medical University and Armenian National Agrarian University joined them. The student strikes continued on the following days. The Ministry of Education and Science announced that "political activities and propaganda within the premises of educational institutions is prohibited by law."
On 26 and 27 February 2013, Hovannisian visited the cities and towns in the Ararat plain and Syunik.
On 28 February 2013, Hovannisian and his supporters once again gathered in the Freedom Square to protest the election results. Famous French-Armenian actor Vardan Petrosyan had arrived in Yerevan a day earlier to address the crowd. He in particular stated that the movement was a victory that took place in "the mind, in the heart, in one's very soul."
The mass rallies were disrupted on 1 March 2013, to commemorate the memory of the 10 victims of the 2008 Armenian presidential election protests.
On 2 March 2013, the mass rallies in Freedom Square continued. Hovannisian set a new "deadline" for the authorities to start "handing over power to the people."
On 3 March 2013, Hovannisian met with Prosperous Armenia leader Gagik Tsarukyan and discussed the ongoing situation in the country. PAP had earlier stated that they are "next to the people."
On 4 March 2013, Hovannisian submitted an appeal to the Constitutional Court. His claim will be considered by the court and the court will issue a verdict in 10 days.
On 5 March 2013, despite the snow, another rally was held in the Freedom Square. Hovannisian once again stated that there's no way back. He pointed out that "now we have nothing to say [to them], we have to act and we won't get diverted from our path." The Armenian Revolutionary Federation representative Armen Rustamyan urged the opposition parties to consolidate around the upcoming Yerevan City Council election in May.
On 6 March 2013, Hovannisian traveled in Tavush Province. His supporters gathered in the cities of Dilijan, Ijevan, Noyemberyan and Berd to hear Hovannisian's speech and congratulations on "people's victory." On 7 March 2013, Hovannisian continued his tour throughout Armenia's northern and central provinces. He visited Chambarak, Talin, Artik, Vanadzor, Gyumri, Spitak, Aparan.
On 8 March 2013, on the International Women's Day, the rally in support of Raffi Hovannisian was also dedicated to Armenian women. Among other, Hovannisian's wife Armenouhi also addressed the crowd in Freedom Square.
On 9 March 2013, Hovannisian concluded his visits to the provinces of Armenia in Gegharkunik. Hovannisian stopped in the towns Vardenis, Martuni, Gavar, and Sevan. In Sevan, a small incident occurred involving the mayor.
In the Armenian diaspora
Groups of Armenian-Americans protested the results in front of the Armenian consulates New York on February 22 and Los Angeles on 24 February 2013.