  Armenia charges second opposition gunman with murder of police officer November 16, 2016 - 16:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A second opposition gunman, Armen Bilyan was charged with killing a police officer during a two-week standoff with Armenian security forces on Wednesday, November 16. An armed group known as Sasna Tsrer (Daredevils of Sassoun) stormed a Yerevan police patrol department in mid-July and took everyone inside hostage. Throughout the following days, the group released the captives one by one. After negotiations that lasted for a little over two weeks, the gunmen agreed to surrender to the law enforcement bodies. Three police officers were killed during this period. "Bilyan is charged with killing Gagik Mkrtchyan, he has pleaded not guilty, and we are going to prove he has nothing to do with the murder," his lawyer Armine Fanyan said, according to Aysor.am. Another member of Sasna Tsrer, Smbat Barseghyan was indicted for murder of a police officer on Tuesday. Barseghyan has also pleaded not guilty. On July 30, police officer Yuri Tepanosyan received a gunshot wound near the seized patrol department. Law enforcement bodies subsequently released a video featuring Barseghyan.   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 |  Latest news 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.CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.”Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |
