The gunmen are demanding the release of jailed opposition leader Jirair Sefilian as well as President Serge Sarkisian’s resignation. Sefilian is accused by the ex-Soviet state’s authorities of plotting civil unrest. He was jailed in June over allegations of illegally possessing weapons. A former military commander, Sefilian has accused Armenian leader Sarksyan of mishandling a long-running conflict between Armenian-backed separatists in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and Azeri forces.
According to the information at the disposal of 168.am medical workers taken hostage in the police precinct—doctor Norayr Tevanyan and nurse Malina Margaryan, succeeded to escape from the territory. On July 27 the two doctors Norayr Tevanyan and Salvador Khechoyan, paramedic Davit Tonoyan, nurse Malina Margaryan, who came to show medical assistance to the wounded in the police precinct, were taken hostage.
“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.
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.
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.
“Maria Zakharova mentioned that Turkey can have a positive investment in the conflict settlement process, as it has repeatedly supported Azerbaijan’s activities. I perceive Zakharova’s remarks this way, it’s clear that Turkey won’t become a participant to negotiation format, Armenia will be against, and even in case of such a perspective Armenia won’t allow it. Russia hasn’t changed its policy, essence of which is balance maintenance between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and Turkey will divert that balance, which isn’t beneficial for Russia,” Russian Turkologist said.
“As Mr. Yenigomshyan allowed himself to discredit and call a liar my friend (Vitaly Balasanyan), let me introduce two episodes from the life of Mr. Yenigomshyan. In 1980 Mr. Yenigomshyan in Geneva planned a terror act with Syuzi Mahserejyan, the bomb exploded in the hotel room in his hands, as he wrongly switched it. Syuzi was in the room then. Yenigomshyan lost his hand and sight, but Syuzi, who is Monte Melkonian’s sister-in-law, equally has born the punishment with Yenigomshyan. Let him first reply, against who that terror act was organized.”
“NATO member countries, NATO partners have rather hard position regarding Russia’s initiated hostile activities against its neighbors. It particularly refers Ukraine. NATO has tough position regarding its policy, according to which, any European country has a sovereign right to choose its defensive partners within its foreign policy. NATO is decisive in this issue. “
