One more captive released from seized police HQ, NSS says

PanARMENIAN.Net - As a result of complex operations of Armenia’s law enforcement bodies and negotiations with an armed group that seized a police HQ on Sunday, July 17 and took officers inside hostage, another captive was released on Monday, the press service of the National Security Service says.

The gunmen are members of the Sasna Tsrer movement. One police officer was killed, and three more were wounded in a shootout that broke as the members of the group hit the gates of the police department with a Ural track. Five captives have been set free so far. The group demand the release of Jirair Sefilian, the founder of the Founding Parliament who was arrested on June 20, as he and a group of people had planned to seize premises and communication facilities, including the Yerevan TV tower.

All the people inside the premises of the police HQ were provided with food and necessary medicine.

Nevertheless, the NSS says, such encouraging episodes don’t rule out possible tragic consequences, the whole responsibility falling on the attackers.

The NSS said the gunmen have no alternative other than surrendering to authorities.