YEREVAN. – Armenia’s national security service issued a statement concerning the Friday clashes in Yerevan.
The statement says shots from different weapons were heard from the building of seized police compound. The shooters targeted police officers who were on duty in Sari Tagh area.
“In addition, the armed group detonated a grenade in the territory of the regiment, and then tried to set on fire a bus parked near police regiment, throwing burning objects under it.
Thanks to adequate response of law enforcement agencies all firing points were suppressed, and the aggressive actions of the armed groups prevented. According to preliminary data, a policeman and members of the armed group were wounded in a shootout,” the statement reads.
Armenia’s national security service said these actions couldn’t continue any longer.
“Please be informed that after the events of late July 29, all existing reasonable possibilities of a peaceful solution have been exhausted. Provided by the Constitution of Armenia and justified under the circumstances, the use of force is absolutely necessary to protect the citizens from an attack dangerous to their life and health,” the statement reads.
“Therefore, members of the armed group are given time until 5p.m. in order to lay down arms and to surrender without resistance. Otherwise, special units of law enforcement agencies are authorized to open fire without warning and disarm any armed person in the territory of police regiment or beyond.
Any attempt to penetrate into the territory without the authorization of the regiment will be is considered as aiding terrorism and the perpetrators, regardless of their status, will be held accountable. All attempts to break through the police cordon by force will be prevented by measures under the law,” the