Soldiers Join Armenia Protests

A soldier who has joined protests in Yerevan is carried above the crowd after being given a red rose.

Scores of soldiers joined the protest in central Yerevan on April 23, 2018.

A huge crowd led by soldiers, makes its way towards central Yerevan.

The Armenian defense ministry reportedly said the men would be punished for joining an illegal demonstration.

Hundreds of people joined the protest, which follows much larger gatherings at the weekend when tens of thousands of people demonstrated. 

A new, large gathering has been scheduled for 7 p.m. local time in Yerevan's central Republic Square, calling for the government to resign.

Soldiers backed by protestors lined up in military formation in front of a police station, and then walked past.

Students took the day off classes to protest. Two traffic police cars, with smiling drivers, beeped their support.

Unchallenged by police, huge crowd of mostly student demonstrators march down the central avenue of Yerevan.