“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.
As reported earlier the gunmen have time until 17:00 today to lay down their weapons and surrender to authorities without resistance.
“On July 29, in the period between 21:00 and 23:00, the gunmen have periodically opened fire from various types of weapons from the police precinct, in particular from the windows of the 3- storey building, at on-duty police officers in Sari Tagh area, at buildings of the area, as well as at law enforcement officers who were monitoring the blocked part of Khorenatsi Street, and have thrown stun grenades at the barrier in Khorenatsi Street.”
“The reporters were warned to move to a territory, where explosions have been recorded. In my observation, reporters were targeted. They were more aggressive towards the representatives of media outlets, which had cameras an voice recorders, and when they were noticing camera lights, they seemed to shoot, throw explosives in that direction. I failed to count how many explosions have been recorded above us. When one of Sari Tagh inhabitants approached us and cleansed my wounds, we were working live then. The citizen offered to transport us to the hospital, we rejoiced thinking soon we’ll be in the hospital.”
According to him, if the issue of the Police was dispersing the meeting, it should have simply applied special means of dispersing the unauthorized rally, and not organize beatings, send secret agents there, who penetrated into public in civilian clothes and firstly attempted to provoke people, and then applied functions of the Police.
From my side I informed them, that I also remain loyal to my position, that purpose of my meeting with the gunmen is finding the reasonable solution. I should meet the gunmen first, after which I’ll only meet Serzh Sargsyan, as a result of which only the gunmen may lay down the arms. I continue insisting on my position.
“Sayad wasn’t a demonstrator, he was on his way to the uncle’s house, who was timely back from Moscow and was staying at a relative, living in Sari Tagh. As there were no routes for public transportation, they were closed, he decided to go on foot, not knowing there would be a protest on that part of the district. He didn’t manage to pass, as there were explosions. As a result, he received injury on the eye, which has been extracted.”
