Varuzhan Avetisyan, Karo Yeghnukian talked on the phone /updated/ (video)
23.15 People are still undecided whether to stay at Liberty Square or go to Erebuni where the police building seized by an armed group is located.
Karo Yeghnukian told the demonstrators that Varuzhan Avetisyan had called him again from the police building to say that the police did not move military equipment to the building.
Demonstrator learned 'disturbing' news
22.50 Some time ago, one of the demonstrators, who wished to remain anonymous, contacted the editorial office of A1+ Company to say that he had received a telephone call from Erebuni police building which remains under the control of an armed group calling itself Sasna Dzrer (Daredevils of Sasoun).
The called informed the demonstrators that the police had amassed military equipment near the patrol police building, breaking yesterday's agreement with the National Security Service. The latter promised earlier not to attack the building unless they got a response from the group. The anti-government attackers agreed to give a response on Wednesday, July 19.
A1+ Company has been unable to verify the information because Khorenatsi street is closed by the police.
Demonstrators sit down on ground, demanding to release all detainees
22.20 Demonstrators finally managed to contact individuals who had been detained during the day. They were told that all of them had been released, with two being transported to hospital.
22.02 Reaching Mashtots Avenue, the participants of the march sat down on the ground, demanding the release of those detained on Monday. The police officers escorting the group assured them that all detainees had been set free. The demonstrators tried to contact them to find out their whereabouts, but they were unable to.
Hundreds of people had gathered at Liberty Square on Monday evening for a public discussion regarding yesterday’s armed seizure of a police building. After the meeting, they started a march through Yerevan streets.
Demonstrators start march in Yerevan
20.55 Activists have started a march from Liberty Square through the central streets of the Armenian capital.
No decision will be taken in connection with armed group unless they take unwise steps
20.54 In reply to demands posed by human rights ctivist Avetik Ishkhanyan, General Hunan Poghosyan said the police will conduct an investigation against all policemen who broke the law after studying the video material.
the Deputy Chief of the Armenian police added that people gathered at Liberty Square should not forget that a few hours ago policemen had lost one of their friends during an armed attack on the Erebuni police building.
Speaking about the gunmen, Mr Poghosyan said, “We continue to negotiations with the hostage takers. The negotiations are conducted in a civilized manner. At first they had nine hostages, now they have four. They were released as a result of ongoing negotiations and, why not, as ‘a sign of goodwill’ by the attackers. The police also demonstrate goodwill. No decision will be taken in connection with the group as long as they take an unwise step.”
Policemen leave Liberty Square at the request of activists
20.44 Addressing people at Liberty Square, human rights activist Avetik Ishkhanyan offered to present three demands to the Deputy Chief of the Armenian police [Hunan Poghosyan].
“First, they should give a clear guarantee that the law enforcement bodies will not use force against the armed gunmen [who seized the Erebuni police building on Sunday]. Second, they must arrest all those arrested today and finally, all policemen responsible for those illegitimate actions should be published,” he said.
20.30 Deputy Chief of the Armenian police, General Hunan Poghosyan has left the area of the Opera House. Policemen gathered at the square followed suit at the request of the activists.
Activists injured at Liberty Square
20.15 While human rights activist Avetik Ishkhanyan was trying to explain to deputy chief of the Armenian police Hunan Poghosyan in the central part of Liberty Square that the police had interfered with the peaceful gathering, numerous ‘red hats’ showed off at the square and chained the citizens.
20.12 Activists Levon Zakaryan and Artush Chibukhchyan were rushed to hospital after clashes between demonstrators and police at Liberty Square.
“I tell deputy chief of the Armenian police Hunan Poghosyan that the police used violence against people inflicting injuries on them, he says there is no such thing,” activist Rima Sargsyan told A1+.
She says after violating people’s right to freedom of speech, police officers began punching and hitting those gathered at the square.
Demonstrators return to Liberty Square
20.00 As a result of talks between citizens and General Hunan Poghosyan, the first deputy chief of the Armenian police, Northern Avenue was re-opened for the demonstrators who returned to Liberty Square.
Police unable to stop the flow of people
19:53 The situation is very tense at Liberty Square the flow of people continues. Some time ago, police officers detained activist Davit Sanasaryan who called the participants of public hearings to head for the Erebuni police department which has been seized by and armed group affiliated with the radical opposition movement [Founding Parliament ] for the second day. Chief of Yerevan Police Ashot Karapetyan urged Sanasaryan to avoid illegal calls. Police officers cordoned off the area disallowing people from entering the square. Citizens were able to break through the police cordon and drive them away from the square. At present, people gathered at the square are moving along the nearby streets and opposite pavements calling everyone to join them. First Deputy Chief of Police Hunan Poghosyan sys some people are unnecessarily exciting passions instead of preventing further bloodshed. He labeled it a reckless step. Human rights activist Avetik Ishkhanyan told Poghosyan that people were holding a peaceful rally when police officers attacked them.Before the start of the discussion, those gathered at the square honoured the memory of the police officers who was killed yesterday.
