4 paramedics taken hostage by Yerevan gunmen inside police HQ

PanARMENIAN.Net - The armed group that are holding a police department in Yerevan have taken several doctors hostage, police spokesman Ashot Aharonyan said in a Facebook post.

The group are members of the Sasna Tsrer movement. One police officer was killed, and several more were wounded in a shootout that broke as the members of the group hit the gates of the police department with a track. All the captives have been set free. 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 allegedly planned to seize premises and communication facilities, including the Yerevan TV tower. They also demand the resignation of President Serzh Sargsyan and the creation of a transitional government.

As reported earlier, several of the Sasna Tsrer members were wounded in a shootout with the police overnight on July 26-27. Two of them were hospitalized, while two more refused to leave the premises of the patrol regiment.

After persuading the last two to accept medical aid, the law enforcement authorities ensured all the necessary conditions, but the doctors were taken hostage once they reached the group.

The police are now negotiating to have the medical personnel released as soon as possible.

According to Health Ministry spokeswoman Anahit Haytayan, four paramedics are currently held captive.

Read also: Yerevan standoff: two gunmen surrender, others wounded in shootout