Armenia charges second opposition gunman with murder of police officerNovember 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 David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. 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. Partner news | Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |