Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, left, speaks with protest leader Nikol Pashinian during their meeting in Yerevan, Armenia, Sunday, April 22, 2018. Thousands of demonstrators on Saturday closed off streets in Yerevan during a march pressing demands for the prime minister to resign. Sargsyan was named premier this week as Armenia transitioned to a new system of government that reduces the presidency's power and bolsters the prime minister role. (Hrant Khachatryan/PAN Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) - The leader of major political protests that have gripped the Armenian capital for more than a week was arrested Sunday, while the streets of Yerevan echoed with blaring car horns as protesters tried a new technique for expressing opposition.
The protests that began on April 13 center on the appointment of former President Serzh Sargsyan as prime minister, part of Armenia's transition to a governmental system that reduces the powers of the presidency and bolsters the premier's.
Critics say the change effectively allows Sargsyan to lead the country for life.
Sargsyan and protest leader Nikola Pashinian met Sunday morning for brief televised talks. The prime minister walked out after Pashinian made it clear he would only discuss Sargsyan's resignation.
The protest leader was arrested later in the day.
As crowds gathered in various areas of Yerevan, police tried to break them up and there were clashes between officers and some protesters.
As of late afternoon, 232 demonstrators had been detained, police spokesman Ashot Aragonian said. The health ministry said seven people were hospitalized for problems related to the demonstrations.
Demonstrators congregated in the evening at the city's central Republic Square, where previous protests over the past week have attracted as many as 50,000 people.
Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, left, gestures as he leaves a meeting with protest leader Nikol Pashinian, right, in Yerevan, Armenia, Sunday, April 22, 2018. Thousands of demonstrators on Saturday closed off streets in Yerevan during a march pressing demands for the prime minister to resign. Sargsyan was named premier this week as Armenia transitioned to a new system of government that reduces the presidency's power and bolsters the prime minister role. (Hrant Khachatryan/PAN Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
Demonstrators march in protest against the appointment of former President Serzh Sargsyan as the new prime minister, in Yerevan, Armenia, Sunday, April 22, 2018. The leader of major political protests that have gripped the Armenian capital for more than a week has been detained, and the streets of Yerevan are echoing with the blare of car horns in a new technique for expressing mass opposition. (Aram Kirakosyan/PAN Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
Demonstrators march in protest against the appointment of former President Serzh Sargsyan as the new prime minister, in Yerevan, Armenia, Sunday, April 22, 2018. The leader of major political protests that have gripped the Armenian capital for more than a week has been detained, and the streets of Yerevan are echoing with the blare of car horns in a new technique for expressing mass opposition. (Aram Kirakosyan/PAN Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
A young man waves an Armenian national flag as demonstrators march in protest against the appointment of former President Serzh Sargsyan as the new prime minister, in Yerevan, Armenia, Sunday, April 22, 2018. The leader of major political protests that have gripped the Armenian capital for more than a week has been detained, and the streets of Yerevan are echoing with the blare of car horns in a new technique for expressing mass opposition. (Aram Kirakosyan/PAN Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
Police block demonstrators gathered to protest the former president's shift into the prime minister's seat in Yerevan, Armenia, Saturday, April 21, 2018. Armenian authorities say more than 70 people have been arrested, including two people suspected of building bombs, as large protests against the new government enter their second week in the capital. (Hrant Khachatryan, PAN Photo via AP)
The Associated Press