The protest leader, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanian, urged supporters the previous night to gather there at 10 a.m., in time for the scheduled start of the meeting, in order to keep up the pressure on Pashinian.
The government brought the cabinet session forward to 9 a.m. before announcing at the last minute that it was postponed to Friday morning. The official reason for the delay was Pashinian’s participation in a continuing parliament debate on the execution of the government’s 2023 budget.
Addressing the protesters at Republic Square, Galstanian accused Pashinian of “hiding behind the police” and vowed to continue his campaign for regime change. He again strongly condemned the police for firing stun grenades and using physical force against his supporters who rallied near the parliament building on Wednesday.
“You should walk with your heads down as long as you serve the cowardly traitor,” he told the riot police guarding the seat of the government.
The policemen turned their backs on the protesters in response. Tensions rose moments later when other, high-ranking officers bitterly argued with Galstanian. The protest leader then led the crowd back to Marshal Bagramian Avenue adjacent to the parliament.
Meanwhile, Pashinian spoke at the National Assembly, defending the “legitimate and professional” police actions during Thursday’s scuffles with protesters. He claimed that the latter tried to break through police cordons to “attack the parliament.” He also said that those who provoked the “mass disturbances” must be prosecuted.
Security forces threw over a dozen stun grenades into the dense crowd during the clash which Pashinian said left 83 protesters and 18 policemen injured. One of the protesters had three of his fingers amputated, according to the prime minister.