Sefilian: Delay in negotiations over Erebuni police station seizure ex

[Yervant1]

When People Are Fed Up

Policy Forum Armenia, 25 July 2016

Perhaps since the takeover of Bastille in Paris in July 1789, much of the humanity has chosen non-violent methods for settling political discourse. On the one hand, times were changing and the use of arms looked increasingly uncivilized even while dealing with oppressive and corrupt regimes. Besides, people knew they will fall anyway, despite a few attempts here and there to “expedite the process”. On the other hand, the development of democratic governance across the world in the subsequent centuries provided examples of smoother and much less costly transition opportunities.

http://www.keghart.com/sites/default/files/images2/Protests-Erebouni.jpg

Fast forward Armenia in 2016…

At early hours of July 17, a group of gunmen attacked a large police compound in Erebuni district of Yerevan and took several police officers hostage. All hostages were subsequently released within days in a show of good will, including a general, deputy police chief of Armenia, and a colonel, deputy chief of Yerevan police. One senior police officer was killed in a shootout, having reportedly fired nine bullets at the attackers despite repeated warnings to cease fire.

In a written statement, the attackers—political activists and “freedom fighters” from the war in Artsakh (Armenian for Nagorno Karabagh) calling themselves the “Daredevils of Sassoon” per a medieval Armenian heroic epic poem—mentioned that they were left without options to channel dissatisfaction with the handling of the country’s affairs and achieve a meaningful change in the country’s governance. Every single nation-wide election in Armenia since 1991 has been considered fraudulent by independent observers, with the one in 2008 leading to 10 deaths of protesters daring to question the outcome. Policy Forum Armenia’s research since 2008 confirms this.

Demands of the gunmen are straightforward: (1) release of all political prisoners, including their leader Jirayr Sefilian (Lebanese-born highly decorated field commander of the first Artsakh war) and (2) resignation of Serge Sargsyan and his regime.

The statement issued by the Presidential palace on the 5th day of the events in response to these demands read much like an ultimatum of someone, who has difficulties grasping the new reality on the ground. It essentially said to the gunmen: “Lay down your arms and you will be tried by the country’s laws and Constitution.” Although some senior members of the junior coalition partner and a key Sargsyan ally in suppressing Diaspora dissent—the socialist ARF-Dashnaktsutyun—criticized the use of force by the group, few took them seriously, coming from a party that has been charged by an Armenian court for preparing to assassinate country’s first (and only) legitimately elected president in 1993.

International response to the police compound takeover has been strong. Both the US and the EU condemned the use of force by the attackers while at the same time calling on the regime to exercise restraint in handling the situation. The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the takeover of the police base and called on the authorities to “unblock the situation as soon as possible, release the hostages, carry out a full investigation of the incident and punish the responsible persons”.

In the meantime, the public support for the gunmen has been gaining momentum despite the regime’s intimidation tactics, mass arrests, and use of force. A committee has been created—consisting of opposition politicians and independent intellectuals—to coordinate the activities of protesters in coordination with the attackers (who have cut a deal with the police to have communication with the rest of the world). The outpouring of support from Diaspora communities—largely spearheaded by the Armenian Renaissance network—continues, with rallies (albeit still small) held in some cities abroad. This is turning into a significant challenge for Sargsyan (and his ARF propagandists), something that he cannot easily resolve without putting his political career and/or life on the line.

The regime has moved full force—including using tear gas, stun grenades, and hundreds of plainclothes officers—to suppress the protests that erupted in Yerevan. Over 200 activists are reportedly in police custody following the clashes with riot police and protesters on July 20. The leader of the Founding Parliament (FP), the political wing of the “Daredevils of Sassoon”, is in hiding with a case pending against him. Another senior member of the FP, Garo Yegnukyan, has been arrested and charged with aiding the gunmen. The Transparency International Armenian Anti-corruption center has asked for a cease of all foreign funding to the Armenian police amid evidence of serious abuse of power and brutality.

Events in Yerevan demonstrated a clear disconnect between the rhetoric of Serge Sargsyan’s administration and the reality on the ground. The disastrous economic and social policies conducted by Sargsyan administration (which nevertheless made a few on the top very wealthy) and constant promises for political reform followed by a series of fraudulent nation-wide elections, altogether fueling the belief that nothing can be changed in Armenia via political discourse. Moreover, the dissatisfaction with the handling of economic and political affairs of the country (which are seen as the main factors behind Armenia’s crippling emigration) was recently exacerbated by the discovery of massive embezzlement of funding within armed forces during the 4-day war with rival Azerbaijan in April (which ended with minor territorial losses for the Armenian side), creating a serious dissatisfaction with the regime’s handling of nation-wide affairs.

The events also revealed an apparent disconnect between the army and police in Armenia. The former has been increasingly nervous about the Russia-orchestrated plan to hand over the territory liberated by Armenia in the 1991-94 war back to Azerbaijan (as issue mentioned repeatedly by the gunmen in their statement), in what is widely believed an attempt by president Putin to lure Azerbaijan into the Eurasian Economic Union. The police, on the other hand, is believed to be primarily concerned about the growing internal instability and continues to remain loyal to the Sargsyan regime, which has provided them with all perks, including overblown size, relatively high and stable salaries, and ability to go unpunished for rampant abuse and (highly profitable business of) covering up corruption by high-ranking officials, among other misdeeds.

In Conclusion…

In his endorsement of Policy Forum Armenia’s report on “Corruption in Armenia”, Daron Acemoglu—the Elizabeth and James Killian Professor of Economics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, recipient of the Bates Clark medal in Economics, and author of “Why Nations Fail: Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty”—said:

“Some say that Armenia is doomed to fail economically because of its geography or location in the world. But like so many other countries around the world and throughout history, its failure is due to corruption, unscrupulous politicians and weak institutions. It’s not lack of opportunities but squandered opportunities that are at the root of Armenia’s ills, and it can make progress only by confronting this fact and holding accountable those responsible for the failures.”

Armenians have not had their Bastille—they have been too busy confronting external enemies for pretty much as long as they existed, without paying much attention to the enemy from within. This might just be their chance to have it, a chance to break the vicious cycle of squandered opportunities and the continuous fall into oblivion by standing tall and calling for better governance and independence from a foreign rule.

Regardless of whether or not these events will directly bring about a political change in Armenia, one thing is clear: maintaining the status quo in Armenia for Serge Sargsyan and his Diaspora partners will be next to impossible. The 30-odd heavily armed and experienced fighters surrounded by thousands of sympathetic civilians in downtown Yerevan are unlikely to go away (without creating a mayhem for the Sargsyan regime) and may just become the trigger for both political and foreign policy reform that citizens of Armenia have been longing for.

Mr. Yegnukian is also an Executive Board member of Policy Forum Armenia.

http://www.keghart.com/PFA-Fed-Up

[Yervant1]

Petros Makeyan: Crisis cannot be resolved by neutralizing Sasna Dzrer or sending its members to prison

12:45 | July 29,2016 | Politics

Leader of the Democratic Homeland party, Petros Makeyan, condemns the inhuman, Pinochet-style actions of the security forces.

“Police officers with machine guns intimidate people nowadays. It is useless to keep police troops today, they should be sent to the army,” Mr Makeyan told journalists on July 29.

He says besides Azerbaijan the Armenian leadership also has another enemy in the person of Armenian society. The arrests of Alek Yenigomshyan and Armen Mikaelyan, both members of the Founding Parliament movement, as well as Levon Barseghyan, Chairman of Gyumri-based Journalists’ Asparez Club, remind Petros Makeyan of 193 ‘when Stalin said it is important to find people to press charges against them.’

He says the authorities are not responding to the demands of the Sasna Dzrer because Serzh Sargsyan wants to benefit somehow from the present situation and delay the surrender of lands.

“The crisis should be resolved in a political way, rather than by force. When people go to war, they realize that they will either die or come back home. But when the members of the Sasna Dzrer group stormed the police HQ, they knew that they will either die or be sent to prison,” he said adding that the problem cannot be solved by neutralizing the armed group or sending its members to prisons; new groups will emerge who will also raise their voices in protest against the authorities.

Speaking about the medics who are reportedly held hostage by the anti-government gunmen, Mr Makeyan said ‘the guys simply need round the clock care.’ “If they [gunmen] released Valeri Osipyan, then we cannot consider medics hostage in the given circumstances.”

In reply to A1+’s question why he was not seen on the platform, the Leader of the Democratic Homeland party said, “I prefer to fight in the field where the people are standing.”

http://en.a1plus.am/1242907.html

[Yervant1]

“Arresting Levon Barseghyan, the police will be deprived of grants.” Eduard Mkhitaryan

13:14 | July 29 2016

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Eduard Mkhitaryan, a member of the “Gala” political board of Gyumri, in an interview with Aravot.am, considers an absurd to file a criminal case about the fact of detecting a folding knife in the pocket of the President of “Asparez” Journalists Club in Gyumri, Levon Barseghyan, and arresting him. “The allegation is groundless and absurd. Perhaps, 91 percent of Armenia’s population have a knife like this and use it for cutting cheese, opening a bottle on the way to going somewhere or stops on the way to eat bread on the trunk of his car, every man keeps such a knife with him. They have not found any other way but to bring such accusations. The purpose apparently is clear to everyone. Isolating Levon Barseghyan from Khorenatsi Street, deprive his of the opportunity to speak from the tribune as the authorities also understand that Levon Barseghyan has very sharp and rich vocabulary and is able to criticize the RA authorities and the whole system full of corruption and illegalities, as well as the legal system armed with truncheons very precisely and very opportune, he is able to interpret the situation precisely. Levon was isolated for this very reason. I think that they have no grounds to keep Levon Barseghyan and will release him soon,” – said Eduard Mkhitaryan.

According to our interlocutor, if we had followed by the logic of the authorities, then at least 60 percent of our population is a law-breaker and should be detained. “For example, the farmer goes to harvest with a scythe, or the woodcutter goes with an ax, likewise they can be detained. All this is funny, ridiculous, there are far more effective methods, you can talk to people rather than use such brutal methods, like let’s say, Arsine Khanjyan was forcibly transferred without understanding and without realizing who she is and how important she is for the community and the world culture-admiring society. This caused a big fuss. Many prestigious Canadian and American media addressed this issue. I am sure for hundred percent that they will also write about Levon, the reports of the human rights organizations will address this issue, and naturally, it will have a negative impact. It is very possible that tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, they will be deprived of financial sources, we know very well that the police are partly funded by the grant programs of international organizations. The shining helmets or, let’s say, the new measures, conscript that stand before the people, those water cannons, which they used to “shower” people, this is done by the funds of international organizations. Now, they appeared in a non-beneficial situation,” says Eduard Mkhitaryan with confidence.

Nune AREVSHATYAN

http://en.aravot.am/2016/07/29/179371/

[Yervant1]

Three French-Armenian Organizations Support People Demonstrating in Yerevan

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14:22, July 29, 2016

On Tuesdays, July 26, three French-Armenian organizations (Renaissance Arménienne, Charjoum le Mouvement and CollectifAzatDzayn) gathered in front of Armenian embassy in Paris to support the struggle of the Armenian people.

In solidarity they denounced rampant corruption in Armenia and voiced support of the people in their determination to remove the current regime, restore equal justice for all, fight against poverty and restore freedoms.

In addition, the organizations denounced the arbitrary arrests of citizens and demanded the release of jJrair Sefilian and Alec Yenikomishian.

JeanEckian / Paris
http://hetq.am/eng/news/69538/three-french-armenian-organizations-support-people-demonstrating-in-yerevan.html

[Yervant1]

Arsinee Khanjian: Actions of “Sasna Tsrer” group is an _expression_ of despair

09:33, 29.07.2016

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YEREVAN. – Actions of “Sasna Tsrer” group is an _expression_ of despair, well-known Canadian-Armenian actress Arsinee Khanjian said in an interview with the Armenian service of RFE/RL.

Earlier Arsinee Khanjian was detained from Khorenatsi Streert where supporters of the group are gathering for 12 days.

Asked about her attitude to Pavel Manukyan and members of “Sasna Tsrer” Khanjian said: “They are the heroes of our symbolic history, they served our country, perhaps more emotional, but I think that their actions are an _expression_ of despair.”

In her view, the change of power in Armenia should not happen through “Sasna Tsrer” group, but through the call of the people.

“In fact, today, people are no longer afraid. Even if the police intimidate people, they are not ready to be afraid anymore. They are trying to become a party to the changes like our heroes,” she said.

Asked whether her husband famous director Atom Egoyan shared her political views, the actress stressed: “Of course. For him it is quite clear that there is a big problem in this country, and it is our duty to become a party to the developments. Up to now we have been focused on cultural field.”

http://news.am/eng/news/339456.html

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

Clashes start also in Yerevan's Khorenatsi street, law enforcement officers attack protestors

22:41, 29.07.2016

YEREVAN. - Clashes have started now between the protestors and policemen in Yerevan’s Khorenatsi street, where supporters of Sasna Tsrer armed group have gathered.

Immediately after warning the policemen started an attack, throwing smoke grenades at the people, Armenian News - NEWS.am correspondent reports. The law enforcement officers have started detaining people.

By blocking the street the police are moving forward, freeing the street.

Clashes have also taken place in Sari Tagh neighborhood of Erebuni district, where part of the protestors have gathered. The police used special means in Sari Tagh. According to Deputy President of Heritage Party Armen Martirosyan, the clashes were provoked by plainclothes provocateurs.

Armen Martirosyan and Levon Barseghyan calmed down the situation in Sari Tagh. They are negotiating with Yerevan Chief of Police Ashot Karapetyan, who insists that the assembly is unlawful and demands protestors to leave the territory.

http://news.am/eng/news/339640.html

[Yervant1]

Riot Police Assault on Protesters In Yerevan, Many Injured

July 29, 2016

YEREVAN — Riot police clashed late on Friday with hundreds of people
near a police compound in Yerevan occupied by gunmen affiliated with
an Armenian opposition group.

The violence unfolded amid the sound of gunshots and explosions coming
from the compound located in the city’s southern Erebuni district. It
was not immediately clear whether security forces were conducting a
large-scale operation there.

Most of the protesters sympathetic to the gunmen unexpectedly tried to
approach the building from the nearby Sari Tagh neighborhood. Using
tear gas and stun grenades, the police charged towards them after the
protest leaders ignored senior law-enforcement officers’ orders to
walk back to the city center.

The chief of Yerevan’s police department, Ashot Karapetian, said that
the rally is illegal and that gunshots fired around the compound are
too dangerous for its participants.

Some protesters as well as three RFE/RL journalists — Karlen Aslanian,
Hovannes Movsisian and Garik Harutiunian — were attacked and beaten up
by a large group of plainclothes men as they retreated towards
downtown Yerevan. The men, who appeared to be police officers, were
clearly aware that they are assaulting reporters.

“Are you filming?” one of them said before punching Movsisian,
smashing his camera and tearing off his ID badge.

“I told them that I stopped filming but they kept hitting me,”
Movsisian said by phone as he ran for safety and took cover in a local
shop shortly before midnight.

“They are chasing us and trying to arrest everyone in sight,” he said,
adding that he witnessed dozens of protesters injured and detained at
the scene.

The two other RFE/RL reporters were also injured before fleeing to
safety through another Sari Tagh street.

Earlier on Friday Armenian security forces shot and wounded three more
gunmen in the continuing standoff with the gunmen barricaded inside
the police compound.

The Armenian police spokesman, Ashot Aharonian, said they “returned
fire” after the gunmen again started firing gunshots in defiance of
warnings issued by law-enforcement authorities. “One of the shooters,
Arayik Khandoyan, was wounded,” he said.

Aharonian said the gunfire continued after Khandoyan’s was struck by a
bullet. “Two more shooters were wounded by retaliatory fire from
law-enforcers,” he wrote on Facebook later in the evening. “They are
receiving adequate medical assistance.”

Aharonian said the gunmen, Artur Melkonian and Armen Lambarian, were
taken to the nearby Erebuni hospital afterwards.

Around the same time, an RFE/RL correspondent witnessed the
hospitalization of two men outside the hospital entrance guarded by
masked and armed security officers. She reported that one of them was
Lambarian but could not recognize the other man.

Varuzhan Avetisian, the gunmen’s leader, blamed the police and the
National Security Service (NSS) for Khandoyan’s shooting when he spoke
to RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) before the two other
gunmen were reportedly wounded.

“We contacted an NSS representative and he said, ‘You are shooting and
that is why were are returning fire,’”Avetisian said by phone.

“But we are not shooting at them,” he said. “We are shooting inside
our territory for our safety. We are shooting at an [unmanned aerial]
device to make sure that it doesn’t drop bombs and harm us.”

Avetisian said that Khandoyan was wounded in the leg and immediately
treated by three medics that were taken hostage by the gunmen on
Wednesday.They claimed that the ambulance crew are not hostages. But
he admitted that they are being held in the seized compound against
their will.

“The presence of doctors here is a matter of life or death for us,”
said Avetisian. “We are not holding the doctors hostage, we just need
medical aid.”

“If there are no doctors here they will shoot us one by one,” he said.

Avetisian insisted on Friday that the three medics will be allowed to
leave the compound only if they are replaced by another ambulance
crew.

Taguhi Stepanian, the chief of Yerevan’s public ambulance service,
rejected that condition. “They deceived us when they held our doctors
[on Wednesday,]” she told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am).
“They had told us that they have two seriously wounded persons and
that they want the doctors to transport them to hospital.”

“Then they told the doctors, ‘You won’t get out of here until our
demands are met,” said Stepanian.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__massispost.com_2016_07_riot-2Dpolice-2Dassault-2Don-2Dprotesters-2Din-2Dyerevan-2Dmany-2Dinjured_&d=DQIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=g1LSLxADwneQ--GO-Zg0nFrpKksPsSS_ka049EyxRe0&s=WQDlH7lWcm-ElDQ-_Y8lr0uZuwkm_2X0mROhEUA6MCo&e=

[Yervant1]

CTV News, Canada
July 29 2016


Armenia: Officers wound 3 more gunmen holding police station


YEREVAN, Armenia -- Security forces on Friday wounded three more of
the armed members of an opposition group who have been barricaded
inside a police station in the Armenian capital for nearly two weeks,
and riot police later used stun grenades to break up a demonstration
in support of the opposition gunmen.

The three gunmen were wounded in an exchange of gunfire with security
forces, police spokesman Ashot Agaronyan said on Facebook.

A high-ranking police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity
because he was not authorized to release information, said the gunmen
were hit in the legs by snipers after emerging from the station.

A group of about 30 gunmen seized the police post in Yerevan on July
17, killing one officer and wounding several others in the attack, to
demand freedom for an opposition figure arrested in June.

Besides the three gunmen wounded Friday, five others were wounded in
previous exchanges of fire with police. Six were hospitalized and two
remained inside the police station, where they were receiving
treatment from three members of an ambulance crew who were being held
hostage.

The standoff has set off a series of anti-government demonstrations,
held nearly daily in the evening.

More than 4,000 protesters gathered in a central square on Friday
evening and several hundred of them later set off for the area around
the besieged police station.

Riot police set off stun grenades to disperse the protesters and
clashes broke out.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.ctvnews.ca_world_armenia-2Dofficers-2Dwound-2D3-2Dmore-2Dgunmen-2Dholding-2Dpolice-2Dstation-2D1.3008273&d=DQIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=kDvwamxIHsXUsCtp6EjGUlxMxurnaHsy3-hRc6H2wik&s=Q7pB5njmg1_HxKGlovTeKo6RMBlT2-ByTV1L8fiZwKM&e=

[Yervant1]

Armenia on the brink of police state: Heritage Party

• 11:40 | July 30,2016 | Politics
• Հայ

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Statement by Heritage Party

In the most egregious campaign of human rights violations since the falsification of elections and referenda, the ruling regime has rounded up and physically attacked hundreds of citizens, including journalists, for exercising their constitutional right of assembly.

Many of the late-night arrests were conducted by plain-clothes policemen with the application of unprecedented violence. Among those arrested were Heritage leaders Armen Martirosyan, Hovsep Khurshudyan, Susanna Muradyan, and Davit Sanasaryan. Their whereabouts are unknown.

We demand the release of all political prisoners and the resignation of this administration, which has proved to have nothing in common with the civilized world and much in parallel with Yanukovich and other despotic, totalitarian regimes around the world.

Without protection of civil and human rights, both within the country and by the international community, the opportunities for discourse and justice will vanish, and our promising new republic will risk spiraling unpredictably into formless chaos.

We suggest that all political forces and civil society stand together for the purpose of establishing, in short order, a constitutional state based on free and fair elections and a fundamental respect for the dignity of each and every citizen.

Raffi K. Hovannisian

30 July 2016

Yerevan

http://en.a1plus.am/1243114.html

[Yervant1]

Armenia's Ombudsman: Police hinders detainees from meeting their lawyers

• by Tatevik Shahunyan

• Saturday, July 30, 15:20

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Armenia's Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan mentioned in his statement received by ArmInfo that facts were registered of Police hindering those detained overnight from meeting their lawyers, and breached their right to make telephone calls.

The statement stresses that this is a harsh violation of human rights. Currently the representatives of the Ombudsman's Office are visiting police departments for ensuring the activists' rights are restored.

To note, there is still no information about the exact number of the detainees.

http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=3EB97A10-563F-11E6-8B550EB7C0D21663

[Yervant1]

“When I find out who is president of our country, I will hold him accountable”

• 15:20 | July 30,2016 | Politics
• Հայ
• Рус

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Director of “A1+” TV company Mesrop Movsesyan, while touching upon overnight clashes and violence used against the journalists, has come to a conclusion that these methods of banditry aim at silencing the media outlets and cutting off their tongue, breaking the camera and head, “And beat in general. My grandmother used to say that there is God above; it means that there is only one truth for everybody and they will pay for it. Simply ‘above’ means something different and some other men for some people.”

He thinks that everything must be displayed and broadcast, “Neither Vova Gasparyan, nor the president is to decide whether this or that footage must be broadcast or not, the editor and the journalist working on the scene are to decide it. Yesterday all the journalists were singled out from the people, were stopped in an open area and literally appeared under bombardment. How can the Police Chief believing in God explain it? Maybe it is the first night he slept peacefully and maybe he is asleep until now. Such things happen all over the world, but power in our country are a little wilder; they turned it into a planet of apes. The Police Chief is a very little person to make decisions by himself, and the person, who makes decisions, is silent as always. During all these years the style is the same, simply ink has been changed; generation has been changed, which today wants to become established, but the night’s events aimed at frightening them.”

As for the question whether the security of the journalists implementing their professional activities is ensured and whether they can stop the work for security reasons and left the scene, Mesrop Movsesyan added, “At night I visited our journalist Robert Ananyan; he has numerous injuries, but he isn’t frightened, he is simply shocked. He worked bleeding for about an hour. As for who we must hold accountable for all this, I can answer- when I find out who is our president, I will demand from him; we simply have phenomena like mummies, who make decisions so that they are backed.”

http://en.a1plus.am/1243130.html

[Yervant1]

“Displays of revenge and sadism against journalists and society”

• 16:47 | July 30,2016 | Politics
• Հայ
• Рус

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Aram Abrahamyan, editor of “Aravot” newspaper, considers yesterday’s events in Sari Tagh, when numerous citizens and journalists were subjected to violence and beating, to be inappropriate and wrong actions by a gang, “I strictly condemn the actions of the policemen as well as persons in civilian clothes against the demonstrators and journalists. It was a targeted attack on the journalists; they aimed at stopping the live streaming, eliminating photos and recordings. Such hindrance was simply nonsense.”

He thinks that there were certain displays of revenge and sadism against the journalists and the society, “I don’t say that the policemen shouldn’t patrol the police station, simply they must do everything in a professional way; all they must have uniform and don’t behave like neighborhood hooligans. I think that the unlawfulness was mainly displayed not by the policemen, but by the staff of some oligarch.”

http://en.a1plus.am/1243144.html

[Yervant1]

Jirayr Sefilyan: “First I must meet with the guys and then with Serzh Sargsyan”

• 16:27 | July 30,2016 | Politics
• Հայ

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The Founding Parliament today has released the statement of Jirayr Sefilyan:

“Dear compatriots, I want to inform you that during past 3-4 days, negotiators have visited me, whom I know and respect. They visited me after having met with Serzh Sargsyan.

The negotiators visited me for two times and once called and conveyed that Serzh Sargsyan hasn’t changed his stance and continues to claim that the guys should lay down the arms, after which meeting will be held between them.

I told them that I also remain committed to my stance that the goal of my meeting with the guys is to find political golden mean. First I should meet with the guys and then with Serzh Sargsyan, only as a result of that the guys can lay down the arms. I continue to insist on this stance.

Not coming to an agreement with Serzh Sargsyan in this matter has had serious consequences for our people, for which I am very sorry. The whole nation is in a bout, and Serzh Sargsyan wants to make it sink. Not coming to an agreement by him and using cruel methods against the people can prove it. On the contrary to all this, as well as on the contrary to the insidious actions carried out by the regime against Sasna Dzrer and the people, I remain open for negotiations, which aim at stopping bloodshed as soon as possible.

So, the whole responsibility of the current events in Armenia lies with Serzh Sargsyan.”

http://en.a1plus.am/1243142.html

[Yervant1]

Editors condemn targeted attacks on journalists

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SOCIETY 16:28 30/07/2016 ARMENIA

“I strongly condemn the actions of the policemen and non-uniformed people, who left the impression of gang members carrying out inadequate and incorrect actions against protestors, especially the journalists,” Aram Abrahamyan, Chief Editor of Aravot daily said during a press conference commenting on the events at Sari Tagh neighbourhood.

“They targeted the journalists and attacked them to interrupt live broadcasts and destroy photos, videos and recordings, so that their actions would not to be recorded. However, as it was also proved during the Electric Yerevan that’s impossible,” he added.

According to Abrahamyan, whatever happened was revenge against the public and the journalists, which is strongly condemnable.

Concerning the issue of how the news are being edited in this critical moments, Mesrop Movsesyan, the director of A1+ news agency, who was also present during the press conference noted that the editor and the journalist discuss what should be broadcasted. “Yet when they’re trying to close your mouth, cut off your tongue, break your hands and the camera, it becomes difficult to think about how to edit [the information]”.

Speaking about whether the journalists are protected when carrying out their professional duties and whether they can leave the scene when their safety is endangered, he noted that professional journalists never leave. “I’ve visited our reporter, Robert Ananyan at the hospital. While having numerous injuries, he wasn’t scared. He worked about an hour while bleeding”.

IT security expert, Samvel Martirosyan also condemned the attacks highlighting that applying such means in an inhabited area is incomprehensible.

“Attacking journalists is a serious case. After the events at Baghramyan, the journalists’ community wasn’t consistent enough in order for the real culprits to be punished. So now we see the results. The journalists’ community shouldn’t just express their joint opinion, rather they need to resort to certain actions”.

Speaking about blocking the news, he said that pursuing journalists the issue wouldn’t be solved, as anyone with a cell phone is a potential journalist. “We have thousands of journalists today who provide information from the scene. It’s just that many of them aren’t professional”.

They also noted that in response, journalists could refuse to cover certain areas.

http://www.panorama.am/en/news/2016/07/30/Editors-condemn-targeted-attacks-on-journalists/1620794

[Yervant1]

75 injured in clashes between Armenian riot police and protesters

PUBLISHED 30/07/2016

Gunmen seized a police station in the Armenian capital

Clashes between riot police and supporters of gunmen from an opposition group barricaded inside a police station in Armenia's capital left 75 people injured and more than 20 in custody on charges related to the unrest, officials said.

The clashes broke out late on Friday when several hundred people tried to approach the Yerevan police station, which is cordoned off by security forces and where there have been periodic exchanges of fire since the armed takeover.

The police station was seized on July 17 by about 30 gunmen, who killed one officer and wounded several others in the attack.

They are demanding freedom for an opposition figure arrested in June in the former Soviet republic. The opposition group they represent also has demanded that Armenia's president and prime minister step down.

Eight of the gunmen have been wounded since the takeover, including three shot in the legs on Friday, apparently by snipers.

Police also used stun grenades to drive back the opposition supporters, some of whom threw stones at the rows of riot police blocking their path.

The Health Ministry said 75 people needed medical treatment and 25 of them remained in hospital on Saturday, including six law enforcement officers. Some of those injured were suffering from burns.

Journalists, including from Radio Liberty, reported being attacked and beaten by men armed with sticks and metal bars who appeared to be plain-clothes police officers. Prosecutors on Saturday promised to investigate.

Police said 165 people were rounded up during the demonstration and all but 26 were released. The investigative agency said charges have been filed against 23 people.

AP
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/75-injured-in-clashes-between-armenian-riot-police-and-protesters-34925109.html

[Yervant1]

Hovsep Khurshudyan placed under arrest

• 18:12 | July 30,2016 | Politics
• Հայ

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Member of Heritage Party Hovsep Khurshudyan was detained after the clashes in Sari Tagh. His lawyer Seda Safaryan informed about it in the interview with “A1+”.

“I don’t know why he was taken to Ashtarak police department on suspicion of instigating mass disorders with a group of people accompanied by use of violence, beatings, damaging property and use of violence against the police officers. Such an unclear formulation was given, which doesn’t clearly state what kind of actions the person implemented. All are presented the same text,” she noted.

The lawyer also added that her defendant was taken according to the list, “They say who must have been taken in, they pointed out him and took in.”

Seda Safaryan says that the freedom to assemblies is determined by the international norms, and what happened this night can be called massacre, “How will the state pay for it?”

The lawyer reminds that Hovsep Khurshudyan is member of the Steering Committee the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum—EaP CSF, and there must have been sufficient bases in order to take him in.

http://en.a1plus.am/1243166.html

[Yervant1]

 

Judge to A. Yenigomshyan: “You will sit down, when I tell you”

• 20:56 | July 30,2016 | Politics

• Հայ

http://en.a1plus.am/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/aleq-452x265.jpg

Short time ago the court hearing on choosing detention as a precautionary measure against Alek Yenigomshyan has ended. The court hearing was conducted by Judge of Kentron and Nork-Marash administrative districts Mesrop Makyan. This is informed by Yenigomshyan’s lawyer Nikolay Baghdasaryan.

“The court hearing was special with the behavior of Judge M. Makyan, there was an impression that Alek Yenigomshyan committed a crime against him personally and the judge found an appropriate moment to punish him. Makyan’s expressions ‘Stand up, I tell you’, ‘Sit down, when I tell you’ (alas, I cannot express the tone of the judge) addressed to a person with disability cannot fit the image of unbiased judge. As a result of the court hearing, he made a decision to detain Yenigomshyan for two months,” says the lawyer.

http://en.a1plus.am/1243196.html

[Yervant1]

What happened in Sari Tagh: Story of A1+ journalist (video)

• 18:32 | July 30,2016 | Politics
• Հայ

http://en.a1plus.am/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/aMFK6A75nhY.jpg

Journalist of “A1+” Robert Ananyan, who received shrapnel wound as a result of clashes in Sari Tagh, was transferred from the intensive care unit of Grigor Lusavorich medical center to the ward today in the morning. Starting from the morning investigators and journalists have been visiting him.

The journalist, who received an injury while covering the events in Sari Tagh, thinks that the policemen intentionally threw stun grenades towards the journalists.

Details in the video

https://youtu.be/aMFK6A75nhY

http://en.a1plus.am/1243170.html

[Yervant1]

Political forces of Armenia keep condemning last night's events, while Republican Party still silent

• by Tatevik Shahunyan

• Saturday, July 30, 21:01

http://www.arminfo.am/images/StandardImage/rpa3.jpg

ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party strongly condemns the events in Yerevan on the night of July 29-30 that results in wounding and injuries of many activists, journalists and police officers.

 

The Party urges prosecution of all guilty and prevention of more violence. ARFD that is a political ally of the ruling Republican Party, says that the situation in Armenia needs drastic reform, as public is discontented at it.

At the same time, ARFD urges "Daredevils of Sasoun" that seized the police compound in Yerevan demanding resignation of the president to refuse from their unrealistic demands and refrain from radical steps. The Party urges the authorities to refrain from using force against the armed group. Unity Party of the former foreign minister of Armenia Vartan Oskanian also condemned the events of the July 29-30 night and urged the political forces, influential figures in Diaspora to unite to find a way out of the standoff. Oskanian's Party blames the authorities of Armenia for the current situation and for impoverishment of the population.

Armenian Renaissance Party led by Artur Baghdasaryan condemned the unlawful actions of the police against demonstrators. The party urged drastic reforms in the country and establishment of a special political platform to find a way out of the situation. Party is sure that the ongoing events will damage Armenia's image in the world, and urges the police to punish those guilty in yesterday's events and release prisoners.

Earlier, more parties, including Prosperous Armenia, Alliance, Heritage, Free Democratic and others made condemning statements. The Parliamentary parties of Artsakh also condemned the situation, while the ruling Republican Party keeps silence.

http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=EB396FA0-566E-11E6-8B550EB7C0D21663

[Yervant1]

One of protesters on Baghramyan Avenue sets himself to fire

• Sunday, July 31, 00:51

http://www.groong.com/news/attachments/msg582250/pngpiDDnlHYzl.png

One of the protesters on Baghramyan Avenue has set himself to fire. A middle aged man tried to commit suicide by setting himself to fire as a sign of protest. People near him managed to put the fire out. The man received light burns and refused to sit in the police car.

http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=106EAEA0-568F-11E6-8B550EB7C0D21663

[Yervant1]

WAND TV
July 30 2016


Armenian police accuse barricaded gunmen of killing officer


By AVET DEMOURIAN
Associated Press

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) - Armed members of an opposition group
barricaded inside a police station in Armenia's capital shot an
officer dead on Saturday, police said.

The fatal shooting, the second since the takeover of the station two
weeks ago, further heightened tensions following violent clashes
Friday night between riot police and opposition supporters that
injured 75 people.

Police spokesman Ashot Agaronyan said on Facebook the policeman was in
a vehicle 400 meters (yards) from the station when he was killed by
sniper fire.

The Yerevan police station was seized July 17 by about 30 armed
members of an opposition group, who killed one officer and wounded
several others in the attack. They are demanding freedom for the
leader of the group, who was arrested in June. The opposition group
has sharply criticized the government of the former Soviet republic
and called for people to take to the streets to force the president
and the prime minister to step down.

Since the takeover, security forces have wounded eight of the gunmen,
including three shot in the legs Friday, apparently by sniper fire.

When several hundred supporters of the gunmen attempted late Friday to
approach the station, they were stopped by rows of riot police and
clashes broke out. Police said 165 people were rounded up and all but
26 were released. The investigative agency said charges have been
filed against 23 people.

On Saturday, Armenia's security service gave the gunmen until 5 p.m.
to surrender and said otherwise its forces reserved the right to open
fire without warning.

The deadline passed with no immediate action taken.

The gunmen are demanding the release of Jirair Sefilian, leader of the
opposition group Founding Parliament, who was charged with illegal
acquisition and possession of weapons. Investigators said he and his
supporters were planning to seize government buildings and the
television transmission tower.

Sefilian, who was born in Lebanon, is well known in Armenia for his
military successes in the war against neighboring Azerbaijan in the
early 1990s. Many of the gunmen inside the police station are veterans
of that war.

Of the 75 people who required medical treatment after Friday night's
violence, 25 of them remained hospitalized, including six law
enforcement officers, the Health Ministry said. Some of the injured
were suffering from burns.

Police used stun grenades to drive back the opposition supporters,
some of whom threw stones at the rows of riot police blocking their
path.

Journalists, including from Radio Liberty, reported being attacked and
beaten by men armed with sticks and metal bars who appeared to be
plainclothes police officers.

Prosecutors on Saturday promised to investigate.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.wandtv.com_story_32578011_armenia-2D75-2Dinjured-2Din-2Dclashes-2Dwith-2Driot-2Dpolice-2D26-2Ddetained&d=DQIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=w3EyQpJQ-p1bWPx43EJB6ggMo1VF9PVCz7AjWhNTwps&s=hpQnSWJz4O6PoHX8m1csLEBEb5eARnbLWZVgHDRbnJI&e=

[Yervant1]

Georgia Today, Georgia
July 30 2016


At least 60 Injured After Armenian Police Attack Demonstration

YEREVAN - At least 60 people were injured late Friday night after riot
police units attempted to break up a demonstration in the Armenian
capital Yerevan.

Video footage of the incident appears to show several riot police
units attacking a group of peaceful activists, firing tear gas and
throwing stun grenades into the crowd.

The police later raided several houses and attempted to pursue
demonstrators who had come from outside the city center.

Journalists were allegedly targeted by by plainclothes, pro-government gangs.

Reporters from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Armenian
service were also reportedly beaten and hospitalized, after having
identified themselves as journalists. RFE/RL reported that a large
group of plainclothes police, armed with sticks and metal bars, were
clearly aware that they were assaulting journalists

Three RFE/RL journalists - Karlen Aslanyan, Hovannes Movsisyan and
Garik Harutiunyan - were attacked and beaten by the police after they
retreated towards central Yerevan.

RFE/RL’s chairman Thomas Kent strongly condemned the attack on
journalists, saying "Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is outraged by
this attack. We expect the Armenian authorities to bring the attackers
to justice and protect all journalists who are carrying out their
work."

Hundreds of demonstrators were taken to police stations around the
city, including several who were forcibly removed from hospitals while
receiving medical assistance.

Government officials have not released any information on the number
of people arrested or detained following Friday’s events.

Armenia’s human rights ombudsmen released a statement saying their
office has received dozens of reports of attacks against reporters by
plainclothes policemen. The statement demands that local authorities
launch an immediate investigation aimed at finding those responsible
for the alleged attacks.

The Council of Europe’s General-Secretary Thorbjorn Jagland expressed
grave concern about the situation in Yerevan, staying the unrest must
be resolved peacefully and through open dialogue.

"I call on all those concerned to immediately put an end to this
dangerous situation and to return to open forms of negotiations.
Democracy, human rights and the rule of law must prevail. The freedom
of assembly must also be fully respected,” Jagland’s statement said.

A new round of demonstrations are planned for Saturday in Yerevan’s
central Freedom Square.

The protests being more than two weeks ago after a group of militant
gunmen associated with the anti-government Founding Parliament
Movement seized a police station in Yerevan’s Erebuni district.

The group have demanded the immediate resignation of Armenia’s
authoritarian President Serzh Sargsyan and the release of all
political prisoners, including the group’s founder Zhirayr Sefilian.

By Karen Tovmasyan and Nicholas Waller

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__georgiatoday.ge_news_4350_At-2Dleast-2D60-2DInjured-2DAfter-2DArmenian-2DPolice-2DAttack-2DDemonstration&d=DQIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=Om6hZwX_GjgVX_a-nMttNU9L9YkvfVIKVbwmwS5oiUw&s=aj9kMcmenIVqVEnEY5hg1al_1ljun7vKiqQQBpTmZXk&e=

[Yervant1]

Voice of America
July 30 2016


Policeman Killed, Armenian Security Issues Ultimatum to Gunmen


VOA News

Last updated on: July 30, 2016 1:12 PM

One policeman was killed Saturday by gunmen barricaded inside a police
station in Armenia's capital, Yerevan, as the security service warned
the group to lay down their arms and surrender or law enforcement
would open fire.

Armenia's National Security Service said the option to resolve the
conflict peacefully had been exhausted.

Nearly 30 gunmen seized the police station on July 17, killing a
police officer, wounding two others and taking nine officers hostage.

Three gunmen inside the station were wounded Friday in an exchange of
gunfire with police. Authorities said that the gunmen shot first and
the wounded inside the station were being treated by three members of
an ambulance crew who were being held hostage.

A tense standoff between riot police and armed supporters of an
imprisoned politician continued Saturday next to the police station.

Police used truncheons, stun grenades and tear gas to stop a crowd
that was approaching the police station. One-hundred-sixty-five people
were detained during the unrest. More than 20 opposition supporters
were later arrested. The rest were released.

The standoff has set off a series of anti-government demonstrations,
held almost every evening.

The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan said in a statement that it was "deeply
troubled by the ongoing hostage situation."

Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland urged both sides
to "put an end to this dangerous situation without delay."

The gunmen have demanded the release of jailed opposition politician
Jirair Sefilian, accused of plotting civil unrest, and the resignation
of President Serzh Sargsyan.

A former military commander, Sefilian has accused Sargsyan of
mishandling the long-running conflict between Armenian-backed
separatists in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and Azeri
forces.

A Moscow-brokered cease-fire halted four days of violence in the
region in April, the worst confrontation in years, but sporadic
shooting has continued and some deaths have been reported.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.voanews.com_content_armenia-2Dclashes_3441235.html&d=DQIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=NHJpi3CoRwt6KOhHQ-IhJ7v4k66qHhqI4k-_u4ODNm4&s=MUkNR3G82AeolNY_z3kzKb7bbMl8aKtkrFog8DpgApY&e=

[Yervant1]

VICE News
July 30 2016


Hostage situation at police station triggers violent protests in Armenia

By Tess Owen
July 30, 2016

Riot police and pro-opposition protesters clashed again on Saturday in
Armenia's capital Yerevan, a day after at least 75 demonstrators were
injured when they tried to approach the scene of an ongoing hostage
situation inside a police compound.

The standoff began on July 17 when around 30 armed members of an
opposition group stormed a police station and took several hostages.
The hostage-takers are demanding the release of Jirair Sefilian, the
leader of the country's Founding Parliament opposition group. He was
arrested last month on weapons charges and accused with his supporters
of plotting to seize government buildings and take over a TV
transmission tower.

Since the takeover of the police building, Armenian security forces
have wounded eight of the gunmen. On Wednesday, the occupiers took
four medical personnel hostage who arrived at the police compound to
treat the group's wounded men, Al Jazeera reported.

The hostage-takers also fatally shot a police officer. Police
spokesman Ashot Agaronyan said in a statement that the officer was in
a vehicle close to the station when he was killed by sniper fire,
according to TASS, a Russian news agency.

Hundreds of pro-opposition supporters came out in a show of solidarity
on Friday night. The Associated Press reported that skirmishes broke
out when the demonstrators tried to get past rows of riot police
flanking the building. The cops reportedly used stun guns and batons
to disperse the protesters, who threw rocks in retaliation.

The AP said some people — including journalists — were attacked by
armed men who "appeared to be plainclothes police officers." Police
arrested 165 people and 26 remained in custody on Saturday, according
to the AP.

Thousands of Armenians took the streets of their capital last year to
protest rising electricity costs and other grievances with the
government of the former Soviet republic, a series of demonstrations
that were dubbed "Electric Yerevan." Riot police used water cannons to
disperse the crowds and arrested dozens.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__news.vice.com_article_hostage-2Dsituation-2Dpolice-2Dstation-2Dviolent-2Dprotests-2Darmenia-2Dyerevan&d=DQIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=kMTx8mCMXbd6CcrPmSznrY_G0xdE-v3lsIBY2OijIbQ&s=lu46-isIY118E1jiOrvfI4sVr6dCimwgOudRR-7i-N0&e=