Gunmen refuse to release police HQ hostages in YerevanJuly 17, 2016 - 16:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - One of the members of the group that stormed a police HQ in the Armenian capital said negotiations are still underway with the law enforcement authorities on Sunday, July 17. According to Pavel Manukyan, the National Security Service has offered to take the gunmen to Jirayr Sefilyan but they have refused and demand instead that Sefilian be released. Also, Manukyan said they have required journalists but the police have refused to fulfill their demand. He said two of their own people were wounded during the shootout. Manukyan said the situation is calm inside the police HQ which they stormed and seized early in the morning. "We are wearing bulletproof vests and chatting on political and non-political topics with the hostages," he said. In response to a question on whether they are going to release the captives, Manukyan gave a negative response. "They should be well aware that we are ready to sacrifice ourselves," he said. Asked if they are sorry for the officer killed in the shootout, the gunman said: "We are sorry for everything." Commenting on a possible attack which could endanger the lives of the hostages, Manukyan said "everything is possible." Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Partner news | Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |