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Gunmen keeping five hostages in Yerevan police station

18 July 2016 14:25 (UTC+04:00)
Gunmen keeping five hostages in Yerevan police station

By Rashid Shirinov

The armed group that seized a police station in Armenia's capital of Yerevan on July 17 is holding five people as hostages, RIA Novosti quoted Armenian deputy police chief, Unan Pogosyan as saying on July 18.

The hostages include the deputy chief of Armenian police major-General Vardan Yeghiazaryan and the deputy chief of Yerevan police, Colonel Valeri Osipyan. During the attack, Colonel Arthur Vanoyan was killed, and four police officers were injured.

“The armed group refused to lay arms down and surrender to the authorities. Currently they hold five hostages. The talks continue. We hope for a peaceful outcome,” Pogosyan told journalists.

From the morning of July 17, a group of armed men seized the police station and took hostages demanding release of opposition activist Jirair Sefilyan, who was arrested nearly a month ago on charges of illegal possession of arms. The attackers also demanded resignation of the Armenian president.

“The life and health of people, illegally detained in the attack, remains under threat. The terrorists, who have already committed several crimes, present a clear and immediate threat not only for the hostages, but also for society,” the Armenian National Security Service said.

ARMENIAN police detained about 200 people to check them for relationship with the hostage takers.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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