“Nevertheless, the gunmen refuse to release other hostages who are being held forcibly, including high ranking police officials, lay down their weapons and surrender to authorities. As a result of the ambush, the lives of the people who are held against their will continue to be endangered.”
In different parts of the Republic and the capital arrests and investigative actions were recorded, and roads were still closed. Upon assessments of the law enforcement, number of the detained exceeds 200. Hunan Poghosyan, First Deputy Chief of RA Police, told reporters that special units have been brought to the initial position, however they have no command to operate.
“It’s a very dangerous process. Everything must be done to avoid bloodshed. Surrendering to the police would be the right choice, and in this case problems would be solved in another way. When people rely on weapons to solve political issues, it may lead to fatal consequences. It does not befit our public, solving issues with weapons does not befit the Armenian public, it is not a way out. Everything must be done to put an end to this through negotiations and avoiding new casualties,” the MP added.
“He started his service in 1995. For excellent service he was granted two dozens of awards. Artur was married, has three children. Memory of Artur Vanoyan—perfect person, father, friend, officer and senior specialist will remain in our hearts,” Ashot Aharonyan wrote.
The Deputy Police Chief called on to follow official newsfeed, “For instance, it’s being touched upon on taking the airports, however, it’s not true, what occurred and is still ongoing is developing inside the Patrol-Guard Service Regiment building. If they say that they’ve taken our armaments, then they’re mistaken, it was initially an armed attack. Probably they possess explosives as well. Control has been properly implemented, we simply don’t want a bloodshed.”
“Despite the attitude towards the authorities you don’t and won’t have public support. I call on laying down the arms and surrender to the law enforcement. And maybe then our society will somehow soften its attitude towards you and the court will take it into consideration.”
“It’s a sabotage terrorist act, an anti system one that cannot lead to positive results. The politicians regardless from the ruling party or opposition condemn these actions. Taking into account the fact that the radical, anti system opposition has a huge lack of resources, they have no positive steps here,” Margarov said, noting that the only goal now should be to resolve the situation.
The office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia has received a number of complaints that the police have detained several citizens.
Armenian police and law enforcement system have necessary means to neutralize the group that has taken hostages in the building of the Patrol Police in Yerevan, the Deputy head of the Armenian Police Hunan Poghosyan told the journalists.
“Armenian law enforcement bodies fully control the situation and have undertaken all necessary means to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, the National Security Service calls on the mass media to use the information from official sources, as in case of the contrary that would assist the illegal actions and would pose threat for people’s life and health”.
