Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan released a statement on Tuesday in which he says the kiosks in Mashtots Park that have drawn protests and created controversy are “temporary” and are compensation to businesspeople who were relocated from Abovian Street. The mayor also disputed information that the kiosks violate green space – pointing out that they are in “non-green” areas.

In apparent reply to the daily protests of environmentalists – including some opposition political party representatives – the mayor implied that protesters were out of line and uninformed.

“Important and complicated property issues should not be settled based on separate people’s idea of justice,” the mayor’s statement said. “I believe any issue regarding the capital may be settled in a civilized way for the benefit of our city.”