Fact Check: "Tens of thousands demanded Pashinyan's ouster after territorial concessions to Azerbaijan."
What We Know
The claim that "tens of thousands demanded Pashinyan's ouster after territorial concessions to Azerbaijan" refers to the political unrest in Armenia following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In November 2020, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a ceasefire agreement with Azerbaijan, which resulted in significant territorial concessions for Armenia. This agreement sparked widespread protests in Armenia, with many citizens expressing dissatisfaction with Pashinyan's leadership and the terms of the ceasefire. Reports indicate that large crowds gathered in Yerevan, the capital, demanding his resignation, although estimates of the crowd sizes vary significantly.
For instance, some sources reported that protests drew thousands of participants, while others suggested that the numbers reached tens of thousands at their peak (source-1). The protests were fueled by public outrage over the perceived loss of territory and the handling of the conflict, leading to calls for Pashinyan's ouster.
Analysis
The claim is partially supported by various reports documenting the protests against Pashinyan following the ceasefire agreement. For example, the BBC reported that "thousands of protesters gathered in Yerevan" demanding Pashinyan's resignation, citing the dissatisfaction with the territorial concessions made to Azerbaijan (source-1). However, the exact number of protesters is contested, with some estimates suggesting that the crowd may have reached "tens of thousands" at certain points during the protests.
While the protests were indeed significant, the reliability of the sources reporting on the crowd sizes varies. Some media outlets may exaggerate numbers for dramatic effect, while others may downplay them. Additionally, the political context in Armenia is complex, with various factions involved in the protests, which can influence how the events are reported. For instance, the opposition parties in Armenia were actively involved in mobilizing protests against Pashinyan, which could lead to inflated estimates of participation (source-2).
Furthermore, the situation in Armenia remains fluid, with ongoing political tensions and debates about national security and territorial integrity. This context is crucial for understanding the motivations behind the protests and the claims regarding their scale.
Conclusion
Needs Research. While there is evidence that significant protests occurred in Armenia following Pashinyan's territorial concessions to Azerbaijan, the claim that "tens of thousands demanded Pashinyan's ouster" lacks precise verification. Estimates of crowd sizes vary, and the reliability of sources reporting these figures is inconsistent. Further research is necessary to establish a clearer picture of the protests' scale and the public sentiment surrounding Pashinyan's leadership.
