National Security Service arrests accomplice of Yerevan gunmenJuly 29, 2016 - 17:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia's National Security Service said on Friday, July 29 that it has arrested a person providing criminal assistance to the gunmen who have seized a police HQ in Yerevan. The group are members of the Sasna Tsrer (Daredevils of Sassoun) 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. Also, they want the authorities to halt Karabakh negotiations fearing they are going to cede some lands to Azerbaijan. According to the NSS, a person identified by his initials as M. M., was in constant contact with two members of the armed group. “He was planning to encourage protesters to break through the police cordon on July 24, join the gunmen and take up arms,” the Security Service said in a message. “Moreover, human fatalities were to be registered.” In its message, the NSS urged civilians against succumbing to provocations and interfering with the activities of the law enforcement authorities. Two groups of people complicit with the gunmen were arrested earlier. Top stories 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. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. |