YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) – 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 Saturday.
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The police station was seized on July 17 by about 30 gunmen, who killed one officer and wounded several others in the attack.
Armenian opposition supporters shout and gesture in front of riot police blocking the streets to Erebuni police station seized by gunmen – supporters of fringe jailed opposition leader Zhirair Sefilyan – in Yerevan early on July 28, 2016.
Supporters of the gunmen who are holding a police headquarters in Yerevan rallied on Friday evening.
Security forces exchange fire with protesters backing opposition group holding hostages in a police building in Yerevan.
“Otherwise, special units of the law enforcement agencies will be authorised to open fire without warning”, the security service said in a statement.
Sixty people were taken to various hospitals around the capital to be treated for injuries including burns and broken limbs, the health ministry said. We call for an immediate release of the medical staff that is being held hostage.
The group stormed the building almost two weeks ago seeking the release of “political prisoners” including opposition leader Jirair Sefilian.
Eight of the gunmen have been wounded since the takeover, including three shot in the legs on July 29, apparently by snipers.
Police arrested 165 people and 26 remained in custody on Saturday, according to the AP.
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After urging the demonstrators to leave the area, the police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the public. 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.
