Situation after July 17: summery
At night of July 29 there were clashes between the police and the peaceful demonstrators. In Sari Tagh and Khorenatsi Street the police dispersed the rally, using special means. The demonstrators came here after the rally at Liberty Square. The police announced that the demonstrators had tried to violate the security zone patrolled by the police and penetrate the territory of the police HQ, justifying its actions in that way. The residents of that neighborhood were attacked and received injuries from explosives, as well as journalists covering the events, numerous citizens, 17-year-old Sayat Hovhannisyan lost his one eye. 165 citizens were taken to different police stations of Yerevan. There are more than 60 injured in the hospitals. Starting from July 17, the group of gunmen consisting of 31 members and calling itself Sasna Dzrer (Daredevils of Sasoun), seized Erebuni police station, demanding resignation of Serzh Sargsyan, release of Jirayr Sefilyan and other political prisoners. As a result of the attack on the police HQ, Colonel Arthur Vanoyan was killed, 4 people were injured. For 7 days members of Sasna Dzrer kept two high ranking police officials hostage- Deputy Police Chief Vardan Yeghiazaryan and Yerevan Deputy Police Chief Valeri Osipyan. They were released when after the talks with the mediation of Artsakh hero Vitali Balasanyan agreement was reached that press center would be created after releasing the hostages. Only on July 23 the gunmen were able to meet the media outlets. At night of July 27 in the police HQ, members of Sasna Dzrer Pavel Manukyan, his son Aram Manukyan and one of the law enforcement officers were injured. As of now the health condition of Pavel Manukyan is assessed critical; his son Aram was transferred to the Hospital for Convicts after the surgery; two months’ detention was chosen as a precautionary measure against him. The law enforcement officers opened fire, when agreement had been reached that the wounded member of the regiment must have been handed over to the doctors. Members of the group Gagik Yeghiazaryan and Aram Hakobyan were taken by the law enforcement authorities during that time. Members of Sasna Dzrer didn’t allow 4 employees of ambulance, who entered the area of the regiment on July 27, to leave the territory. Members of the group note that they need around the clock medical aid, as there are injured inside. The law enforcement officers note that the doctors are hostages. Later one of the doctors, Davit Tonoyan, was released. Member of Sasna Dzrer Ashot Petrosyan and Hovhannes Harutyunyan, who received gunshot wounds in their legs as a result of the shooting in the police HQ, have been detained since July 27. On July 29 situation was tense in the police regiment. Members of Sasna Dzrer Arthur Melkonyan and Armen Lambaryan were injured as a result of shooting in the territory of the police HQ; they were taken to the hospital. Arayik Khandoyan (Lone Wolf) is also injured. At the moment member of the Founding Parliament Alek Yenigomshyan and Vice President of Heritage Party Armen Martirosyan have been placed under arrest.
