“We don’t want to be the bitch of any superpower”. One thing we learned from the protests in the past were how foreign powers were interested in using them as political tools for their own interests. We need to diplomatically shift away from unipolar geopolitics to one that sees everything in the interests of our homeland.”
“We are following developments with growing concern. We deplore the death of another police officer this afternoon and wish to express our condolences to his family. With a view to the growing risk of escalation, we call on all sides to show maximum restraint from violence and to refrain from provocations. The situation should be resolved and public order restored in compliance with the rule of law.”
Minutes ago one of the demonstrators attempted to set himself on fire on Baghramyan Avenue. Other protesters succeeded to extinguish the fire, however, obviously he has already had serious injuries. The Police car arrived at the scene offering to transport him to the hospital, however, the demonstrator refused to get in. He walked down Baghramyan Avenue, the demonstrators sent the man to the hospital by a taxi.
“Brute, illegal, criminal authorities have been established in Armenia, which may be compared with a crocodile. He have always set the issue, we condemn all the powers, which claim themselves as the opposition, take people to the crocodile’s mouth, and then say—it has bitten. It’s obvious for me, that statements have been heard recently from this platform, authors of which, obviously, didn’t understand what they were speaking. And if they understood what they said, and yet continued speaking, then it’s even a bigger problem.”
Police officer Yuri Tepanosyan was killed from a sniper’s shot on July 30. He was killed as a soldier on the positions. He was killed as a policeman, protecting life and security of the citizens with the price of his life. Yuri Tepanosyan was born in 1986 in Yerevan. In 2003 he left the school, and in the period of 2004-2006 served in RA Armed Forces.
“The latest developments in Armenia’s capital Yerevan, related to the seized Erebuni police station, are very worrying. We call for an immediate release of the medical staff that is being held hostage. At the same time, we reiterate our call on the Armenian authorities to refrain from excessive use of force by the police in handling public manifestations.”
“Moments ago a sniper has opened fire from the seized police precinct. 30 year old police officer Yura Tepanosyan, who was inside a vehicle 300-400 meters away from the precinct has been killed.”
“The recent events in Yerevan have disrupted our peaceful lives. We deeply regret that the escalated situation led to new clashes yesterday evening, which resulted in dozens getting hurt, demonstrators, police officers and reporters. We find unacceptable any type of illegal step and action of violence, which can result in bloodshed and endanger the future of our statehood.”
We remain committed to working in partnership with civil society and individuals within the government who are truly committed to strengthening rule of law. At the same time, information gleaned by the investigations into police misconduct, as well as information gathered by credible independent reports, will inform future decisions about participation in Embassy programs and activities. Amidst the calls for further protests this evening, we strongly urge all parties to sincerely work for a peaceful resolution of the situation.
On one hand, Russia and the West are pushing Yerevan to make progress on finding a political solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. But on the other, Sarkisian is aware that any major concessions could threaten his position in office, and potentially even topple the government. Though the hostage crisis is not driven solely by concerns over Nagorno-Karabakh, it is strongly influenced by them and is proof of the instability that a diplomatic deal on the region could produce.
