Sargsyan declares he will let nobody undermine Armenia’s statehood
These high-ranking officials presented details of the police building seizure and related developments to Sargsyan.
He was also told that negotiations with the revolted men were under way and necessary measures were being taken.
“There are many malcontents in Armenia, but let none of you mistakably think that he can take advantage of some circumstance or cause for undermining our statehood,” he said.
Sargsyan urged the hostage takers to display restraint and not to put other people’s lives at risk. “The hostages must be released and the armed group must lay down arms.”
He also warned all those who will seek revenge that their attempts will be foiled.
Sargsyan was told that negotiations with the revolted men are under way.
He called on all people not to take radical steps.
“I urge everybody to realize real threats, to which provocations and radical steps can lead,” he said.
An armed group stormed a police station in Armenia's capital Yerevan on Sunday and took some officers hostage, demanding the release of Zhirayr Sefilian, the jailed opposition leader of Founding Parliament movement, and the resign of the president.
According to the police, one police officer had been killed and five others and one attacker wounded in the assault.
Later, some hostages were released as a result of intense negotiations.
Two top police officials, Deputy Police Chief Vardan Egiazaryan and Yerevan Deputy Police Chief Valeri Osipyan, are among four officers who remain captured.
Hundreds of people gathered around the building to bar the law enforcement units from storming the building and to prevent а bloody outcome. The police units cleaned up the territory of demonstrators Wednesday night and detained dozens of people. On the next day people gathered again.
As many as 51 people injured in the clashes, including 28 policemen, received medical services this night. --0----