Armenian opposition supporters continue protests after leader Pashinian's detention
Armenian policemen detain an opposition supporter during a rally in central Yerevan (AFP Photo)


Hundreds of opposition supporters took to the streets of Armenia's capital Monday amid rising political turmoil as the whereabouts of the protest leader remained unclear a day after he was detained.

On the 11th day of the protests in the ex-Soviet country, young men in small groups briefly blocked roads and shouted slogans such as "Join us!" and "Victory" and the name of protest leader Nikol Pashinian as drivers beeped their horns in support.

Hundreds of students, some medical students in white coats, also marched arm-in-arm through the streets, holding Armenian flags.

Tens of thousands also rallied in the capital of Yerevan over the weekend to protest the rule of Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, the country's former president.

The whereabouts of protest leader Nikol Pashinyan, a parliamentary lawmaker, were unclear after he was detained on Sunday.

His lawyer Rustam Badasyan wrote on Facebook: "There is no answer to the question where he is."

As a lawmaker, Pashinian is protected by parliamentary immunity and cannot be arrested without the approval of fellow lawmakers.

The speaker of the country's parliament, the National Assembly, met Pashinian and the other detained politicians overnight, however, the parliament's spokesman told AFP, without giving details.

The speaker Ara Babloyan was quoted as saying that he urged Pashinian and the others "to take part in real talks."

Pashinian and two other opposition politicians "were detained as they were committing socially dangerous acts," the prosecutor generaltarget="_blank"'>