Category: News

The Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan has issued the following statement on the events in Armenia:

“We are following developments with growing concern.  We deplore the death of another police officer this afternoon and wish to express our condolences to his family. With a view to the growing risk of escalation, we call on all sides to show maximum restraint from violence and to refrain from provocations. The situation should be resolved and public order restored in compliance with the rule of law.”

The U.S. Embassy has issued a statement on the events in Yerevan late on Friday:

The U.S. Embassy is deeply concerned by the shocking images and credible reports of violence and excessive use of force by the police to disperse protestors during the night of July 29-30. We are just as concerned by credible reports that journalists and their equipment were specifically targeted by the police during these operations, in what appears to be clear violations of the freedom of the press. We urge the Armenian government to take immediate steps to prevent a repeat of last night’s actions and to direct the Armenian security forces to maintain order in a manner that upholds all Armenian citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and to peaceful assembly – freedoms that are guaranteed in the Armenian Constitution and are the core values of any strong and functioning democracy. At the same time, we also urge protestors to responsibly exercise their freedom of assembly by exercising restraint, eschewing violence, and avoiding the active standoff at Erebuni police building.

We welcome the Armenian Human Rights Ombudsman’s efforts to document the reports of violence against protestors, journalists, and passersby, and to advocate for the rights of those in detention. The Prosecutor General’s launch of a criminal case into violence against journalists is a positive initial step, and we call on the government to allow a full, independent, and transparent investigation into all allegations of human rights violations, and to prosecute all those involved to the fullest extent of the law. We also urge the government to take immediate steps to ensure similar violations of Armenians’ constitutional and human rights do not recur.

As friend to Armenia and a partner in its democratic development, the U.S. Embassy is deeply concerned by what the events of last night indicate about the rule of law and protection of civil rights in Armenia. We remain committed to working in partnership with civil society and individuals within the government who are truly committed to strengthening rule of law. At the same time, information gleaned by the investigations into police misconduct, as well as information gathered by credible independent reports, will inform future decisions about participation in Embassy programs and activities.

Amidst the calls for further protests this evening, we strongly urge all parties to sincerely work for a peaceful resolution of the situation.

The Armenian National Security Service has issued a statement warning that it will no longer tolerate the “escalation of situation by the armed group through terrorist actions, the firing in the direction of law enforcers and citizens outside the seized police station.”

The NSS says that after the events that took place late on June 29  all reasonable opportunities of reaching a peaceful settlement of the situation have been exhausted.

‘The use of force envisages by RA legislature and justified by the current conditions is extremely necessary to protect citizens from attacks threatening their health and lives, to rebuff an armed assault threatening the life and health of servicemen of the law  enforcement bodies, to prevent the use of weapons by the armed group, release the hostages and free the seized state buildings, as well as pressure the resistance of the armed group,” the statement reads.

The NSS calls on the members of the armed group to lay down arms and surrender to the authorities. The deadline is set at 17:00 today. Otherwise, the NSS sais, the special forces of the law-enforcement bodies are authorised to open fire without warning and neutralize any armed man inside or outside the seized police station.

United Nations in Armenia has issued the following statement on recent events in Yerevan:

We are closely following the events in Yerevan unfolding since the seizure of a police compound in Erebuni on 17 July.

The United Nations in Armenia is concerned by reports last night of numerous detentions and use of force resulting in injuries. The use of force against journalists exercising their functions is never acceptable.

We join the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia and other international organizations in calling for immediate investigations, restraint and tolerance on all sides. The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of expression must be respected, and arbitrary detention cannot be tolerated.

We express condolences to the family of the police officer (Artur Vanoyan) who has lost his life in the Erebuni events. We also condemn taking medical personnel hostage, which can never be justified.

We hope for a swift and peaceful resolution of the standoff.  We also encourage enhanced mechanisms for constructive dialogue between broader civil society and the authorities.

Sixty citizens applied for medical assistance after the clashes between Police and protesters in Sari Tagh district late on Friday. According to Police, 165 people were detained, of whom 26 were later arrested. The rest were released.

Using truncheons, stun grenades and smoke bombs, police broke up a rally held in support of the gunmen, who seized an Armenian police station on July 17 and are currently holding three medics hostage.

A number of in clashes.

A number of journalists have been reported injured, when covering the clashes between Police and protesters at Khorenatsi Street and Sari Tagh district of Yerevan.

Journalists of Radio Liberty Karlen Aslanyan and Hovhannes Movsisyan were attacked by unknown men in civilian clothes. Their badges were seized, the camera was broken.

Journalist of 1in.am website Mariam Grigoryan and cameraman David Harutyunyan were injured in clashes.

Correspondent of Armenia TV Aghvan Asoyan and cameraman Albert Galstyan were beaten by unknown in Sari Tagh. Their camera and microphone were seized and broken.

Photo journalists of  agency were also at the epicenter of events.

According to a report from RIA Novosti, the cameraman of the Russian Life TV has also been injured.

Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland concerned over hostage crisis in Yerevan.

“I follow with concern the events taking place in our member state of Armenia, where for several days already, an armed group has taken hostages in a police station in Yerevan,” the Secretary General said in a statement.

“I would like to recall that in states governed by the rule of law, all conflicts should be resolved through political dialogue with a respect for democratic norms and standards,” the statement reads.

“I therefore call on all those concerned to put an end to this dangerous situation without delay, and to return to the use of democratic means. Democracy, human rights and the rule of law must prevail. The freedom of assembly must be fully respected,”  Thorbjørn Jagland said.

Dozens were reported injured in clashes between police and protesters at Khorenatsi Street and Sari Tagh district of Yerevan.

According to preliminary data of the Ministry of Health, more than 30 people have been hospitalized.

The Police used special means to disperse rallies at Khorenatsi Street and Sari Tagh district.

 

“The latest developments in Armenia’s capital Yerevan, related to the seized Erebuni police station, are very worrying. We call for an immediate release of the medical staff that is being held hostage,” Maja Kocijancic, Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said in a statement.

“At the same time, we reiterate our call on the Armenian authorities to refrain from excessive use of force by the police in handling public manifestations. Likewise, demonstrators need to refrain from violence in the exercise of their civil rights,” she added.

‘Use of force and violence to achieve political change are not acceptable. Conflicts need to be resolved through political dialogue with a respect for democracy, rule of law and fundamental freedoms,” the Spoesperson said.

Policeman has been reported killed in Yerevan.

Serviceman of the Police  Troops Yura Tepanosyan (born in 1986) was  killed by a sniper inside the seized police station, Head of the Department of Public Relations and Information of the RA Police Ashot Aharonyan said in a Facebook post.

The sniper opened fire from inside the premises of the Patrol Guard Service, Aharonyan said.

The policeman was sitting in a car parked 350-400 meters away from the premises of the Patrol Guard Service.