Khorenatsi street of Yerevan attracts more protestors
Rashid Shirinov
The Khorenatsi Street of Yerevan near the police patrol station, which was seized by the armed group Sasna Tsrer, is still crowded. Many people keep gathering there to support the protests against the authorities.
The police earlier warned the demonstrators to move the rally to another place. “In order to prevent a threat to lives and health of the protest participants, as well as public safety, nothing else can be done other than to move the meeting to another place. Otherwise, the police will have to use other means, in accordance with the law, to stop the rally,” their statement reads.
However, the demonstrators refused to obey the police and did not moved away from the Khorenatsi street. After that, they launched a march along Yerevan streets to the police and National Security Service buildings.
The police detained numerous citizens in Khorenatsi street in late night. Gyumri’s Asparez Journalists’ Club President Levon Barseghyan is among them. The task force police officers have torn away the poster installed in the street, which required Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation.
Following a shootout in the territory of the police station, two members of the armed group– Gagik Egiazaryan and Aram Akopyan – have surrendered to police. Being wounded, attackers Pavel Manukyan and his son Aram were transferred to the hospital. Other members of the Sasna Tsrer still stay in the station resisting the police.
On July 17, a group of armed men entered the territory of the Armenian police patrol department in the Erebuni district of Yerevan and took several people hostage. The attackers demanded the release of Armenian opposition figure Jirair Sefilyan, who was arrested nearly a month ago on charges of illegal possession of arms. They also claim resignation of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.
Following the long-lasting talks, the armed group on July 23 released all of the hostages. Nevertheless, they refuse to lay arms down and surrender to the authorities.
From the first day of the seizure, Armenian people started their protest actions against authorities by gathering on the Khorenatsi street and some other main venues of the capital. Every evening they conduct rallies in front of the police cordon to stop the implementation of a special operation against the armed group.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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