YEREVAN (A.W.)—Thousands of demonstrators marched in Yerevan on the evening of July 25 in support of the armed opposition group that continues to occupy a Yerevan police station since July 17. Protesters marched from near the seized police station to the city center and back, chanting slogans calling for the resignation of President Serge Sarkisian and in support of the “Sasna Tsrer” armed opposition group.
The demonstration was organized by the Founding Parliament opposition group and several smaller opposition groups. Alek Yenikomshian, a leader of the Founding Parliament, said authorities had cut off food supplies and electricity to the police station and had blocked mobile phone communication with the occupiers after the gunmen had released their four remaining hostages two days earlier. During his speech to the gathered crowd of approximately 3,000, Yenikomshian gave the authorities until the following morning to allow opposition activists to deliver food to the armed group, reported RFE/RL’s Armenian service, Azatutyun.am.
“Fifty-thousand people must stand here tomorrow,” he said after the march ended at around midnight, according to Azatutyun.am.
Earlier in the day, Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) said that the armed men occupying the Yerevan police station could avoid imprisonment if they surrendered.
“In case of the existence of conditions defined by Armenian legislation, individuals voluntarily backing away from a crime can be exempted from criminal liability,” the NSS said, according to Azatutyun.am.
“In this regard, the militants were handed on July 25 written clarifications and explanations on the sequence of actions which must be taken by them and the route for their surrender,” the NSS added in their statement. The statement reiterated that the gunmen “still have time” to lay down their weapons and surrender to police.
The NSS did not say whether authorities would prosecute any of the men in connection with the killing of an officer during the July 17 takeover of the police station.
Thousands marching toward national suicide. Remember Ukraine? Sad to see this kind of stupidity exists also in Armenians.
why do Armenians want to make the RoA into Ukraine or Iraq?
Dear Gurgen
Nobody wants to make Armenia a Ukraine or Iraq, but it is the current regime that is totally useless! For goodness sake Mr president did not even acknowledge the incident yet! How long is this soviet style pragmatism or Jadragism going to continue?
Dear Shahe,
What would the US president have done if an armed group held a police headquarters and killed police officers in the process? They wouldn’t have lasted 12 hours before special forces went in and massacred them all. I think the “soviet style pragmatism” is showing incredible restraint. An example must be made of these terrorists to prevent its repeat. This type of hostage taking, murder and armed gangs do not belong in a civilized society, regardless of corruption.