YEREVAN (A.W.)—Thousands of demonstrators marched in Yerevan on the evening of July 25, in support of the armed opposition group, which 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 prompting the resignation of President Serge Sarkisian and in support of the “Sasna Tsrer” armed opposition group.
Thousands of demonstrators marched in Yerevan on the evening of July 25, in support of the armed opposition group, which continues to occupy a Yerevan police station since July 17.
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 2,000-3,000, 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 on in the day, Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) said that the armed men occupying the Yerevan police station may avoid imprisonment if they surrender to authorities.
“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 also said that the gunmen “still have time” to lay down their weapons and to surrender to police.
The NSS did not say whether the authorities would prosecute any of the men in connection with the killing of an officer during the July 17 takeover of the police station.
Source: Armenian Weekly
Link: Thousands of Demonstrators March Through Yerevan in Support of Armed Group