  Police refute operation underway near Yerevan's occupied patrol HQ July 30, 2016 - 00:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian police spokesman Ashot Aharonyan in the wee hours of Saturday, July 30 refuted media reports that an operation in the territory of the seized police headquarters is underway 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 around the former Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous Oblast to Azerbaijan. On July 27, the gunmen took 4 paramedics hostage, and released only one of them the next day. "No operation is currently in progress at the scene," Aharonyan said in a Facebook post. "The reality is that a group of people attempted to violate the security zone protected by the police and reach the territory of the patrol regiment." When the participants of the protest action made an attempt to break through the police cordon, the gunmen inside the captured patrol department opened fire in various directions," Aharonyan said in another post. A police officer received a gunshot wound as a result and was immediately hospitalized, he added. Also, Aharonyan urged civilians to refrain from illegal and provocative actions. Supporters of the gunmen rallied on Friday evening near the seized police HQ. After urging the demonstrators to leave the area, the police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the public. According to reports, civilians and journalists were beaten by police officers wearing civilian clothing. Read also:Yerevan standoff: Police disperse rally supporting gunmen Tear gas, stun grenades, violence near seized police HQ in Yerevan 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 |  Latest news Up to 10% cashback from GetTransfer with IDBank cards  IDBank clients who make their booking on GetTransfer will receive an exclusive cashback.European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE.Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. |
