Armenian Prime Minister describes Erebuni situation as worrying

The situation in the district of Erebuni in the Armenian capital Yerevan took a turn for the worse overnight after clashes between police and sympathisers of a group of men who last Sunday forcefully occupied a police station, killing one officer and injuring several others.

The protestors were demanding that food be provided to the armed men inside the police station.

Police used tear gas and taser guns to break up the protests. Dozens of people have been arrested.

Several credible reports have been posted on social media claiming police abuse before and after the arrests. A prominent foreign resident in the Armenian capital posted on his facebook page that a source he trusts had reported "Today I woke up at 5am to the sounds of police officers beating up the protesters of Khorenatsi street in the courtyard of the police station (clearly visible through my window). Around ten police officers had rounded up a single person and were hitting him from all sides, cursing loudly".

Several NGOs are also reporting heavy handed police tactics around the Erebuni police station.

This morning, Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan said that the situation was worrying. Abrahamian was speaking at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. Abrahamyan described the violence on Sunday as “impermissible and reprehensible, since it is impossible to achieve real change through violence”. He was quoted by media sources as saying that the situation is worrisome, and the authorities have done and will do everything to achieve a peaceful solution.” Abrahamyan is so far the only Armenian official to comment about the situation in Erebuni since the violent incident on Sunday.

source: commonspace.eu with news.am, hetq.am and other sources.

photo: Armenian police used tear gas to disperse protestors around the Erebuni police station on Wednesday night (20 July). Picture courtesy of Nalek Alexsanyan (Hetq.am)

 

 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Migration dispute topples Government coalition in the Netherlands

Migration dispute topples Government coalition in the Netherlands

The Dutch government coalition has collapsed after far-right leader Geert Wilders pulled his party out of the ruling four-party coalition on Tuesday in a dispute over a crackdown on migration, triggering a political crisis just three weeks before the Netherlands is scheduled to host a summit of NATO leaders in The Hague. Wilders announced his decision in a message on X after a brief meeting in parliament of leaders of the four parties that make up the fractious administration. Prime Minister Dick Schoof called an emergency Cabinet meeting for the afternoon and new elections may be called for later this year.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Migration dispute topples Government coalition in the Netherlands

Migration dispute topples Government coalition in the Netherlands

The Dutch government coalition has collapsed after far-right leader Geert Wilders pulled his party out of the ruling four-party coalition on Tuesday in a dispute over a crackdown on migration, triggering a political crisis just three weeks before the Netherlands is scheduled to host a summit of NATO leaders in The Hague. Wilders announced his decision in a message on X after a brief meeting in parliament of leaders of the four parties that make up the fractious administration. Prime Minister Dick Schoof called an emergency Cabinet meeting for the afternoon and new elections may be called for later this year.