Armed group says will free doctors in exchange for Health MinisterJuly 27, 2016 - 16:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The members of the armed group that are holding doctors hostage inside a police department in Yerevan have agreed to release the paramedics in exchange for the health minister and as soon as surgeries are organized on the territory of the seized patrol unit. 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. Stating their new demand in a Facebook post, the group virtually confirmed they are holding the medical staff captive. Police spokesman Ashot Aharonyan said earlier that the gunmen have taken several doctors hostage. Member of the Founding Parliament Alec Yenikomshian said, however, that the information on taking doctors hostage is completely false. "The guys just want the creation of shifts for doctors inside the patrol regiment,” Yenikomshian said. Related links: 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 | Russia clarifying reports on Baku’s alleged arms supply to Ukraine Russia says is carefully working to verify reports about alleged arms supplies from Azerbaijan to Ukraine Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. CSTO: Armenia has not participated in secretariat’s work recently Recently Armenia has not participated in the work of the secretariat of the CSTO, Imangali Tasmagambetov said. Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. |