131_211 interference 211. The Court observes that the parties did not dispute that the applicants’ arrest and conviction constituted an interference with their rights under Article 11 of the Convention. Even though the second and third phases of events of 9 March 2001 were characterised by clashes between the protesters and the police (see paragraph 208 above), the Court is prepared to assume that during the second and third phases protesters still enjoyed protection of Article 11 of the Convention (see Primov, cited above, § 156). In the light of these considerations and having regard to the Government’s submissions, it finds that the applicants’ arrest and conviction can be regarded, on arguable grounds, as an instance of an “interference” with their right to freedom of peaceful assembly. (e) Whether the interference was justified