Video of Riots in Yerevan, Armenia

Shot on March 2, 2008, in Yerevan, Armenia, in the wake of clashes between police forces and opposition protesters.

Yerevan Becomes Hell: Fires, Deaths, Misery

Way to outdo yourselves, guys. It wasn't enough that you protested after a relatively fair election, and you continued still even after the police moved in to move you out. And now this:

A police spokesman said that eight people were killed and 33 police officers injured in the clashes. He said several officers had been injured by gunfire.

Demonstrators hurled stones and petrol bombs, setting vehicles on fire, and police and troops responded with truncheons, tear gas and by firing bullets in the air.

TV pictures showed burnt-out cars and smashed shop windows in the city.

This is why foreigners are afraid of Armenia, whether visiting or investing. We mock some of the destabilized countries in Africa and Latin America, but what do we do when it happens on our own turf by our own people? Do we point fingers and blame the other guy? Do we kill people and destroy property to show dissatisfaction?

Source: BBC News

Armenian Police Clear Protesters

The dream is over, but not like the girls in the picture care. They're out protesting because their friends are there, happy with any outcome.

Scuffles broke out as police began forcing the demonstrators on to buses after 10 days of protests against the alleged rigging of the election.

Hundreds of police moved against the opposition camp on Freedom Square early on Saturday, dispersing the few hundred protesters still there. Media were kept away from the square as army lorries took away the protesters' tents.

But I thought Armenia was a democracy! That protesting would have an effect! That kindess would win over evil! What happened??

Reality happened.

Source: BBC News

Welcome to Hell, aka Georgia

Click to enlarge.

Here's what the BBC has to say on the issue, which seems to be winding down:

In an address on state television on Thursday, Mr Saakashvili gave in to opposition demands and brought presidential elections forward to January.

A day earlier, he had imposed a state of emergency after riot police used force to put down opposition protests in the capital, Tbilisi.

Something tells me that we haven't see the last of the Georgian stormtroopers.