Man attempts self-immolation to protest against PM Nikol Pashinyan

In a desperate act of political protest, a man in Yerevan poured flammable liquid over himself and threatened self-immolation, voicing strong opposition to Prime Minister Pashinyan

A middle-aged man tried to immolate himself on Thursday around 13:00 local time near the Armenian government building in Yerevan.

Eyewitnesses reported the man dousing himself with a flammable liquid, threatening to ignite himself. He vocally criticized Prime Minister Pashinyan, highlighting his dissatisfaction with the leader’s governance.

“Pashinyan is the only one who decides the future of Armenia without involving the Armenians,” he declared, as Armenian media outlets noted. He criticized the exclusion of public opinion in national decisions and questioned the Prime Minister’s national allegiance, pointing to deeper issues within Armenian society and politics.

The protestor further alarmed bystanders by claiming he would cause an explosion. This declaration added to the gravity of the situation and necessitated a prompt response from the authorities.

Police officers at the scene acted quickly, preventing the man from setting himself on fire. They successfully intervened, removing him from the vicinity.

The protester’s statements during the protest were striking. He claimed to embody the “world’s energy” and voiced an unexpected political ambition, indicating a desire to replace Pashinyan as Prime Minister.

Source: Newsroom