In Yerevan, 136 citizens detained during demonstration dispersal

Last night, the police have detained 136 citizens in the capital of Armenia. This was learned by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent from the press service of the Police of Armenia.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 20, supporters of the "Constituent Parliament" demanded from the policemen to permit them to deliver food for people inside the seized building. After the police refused to meet the conditions of the ultimatum, the protesters began throwing stones and smoke candles on the policemen. The policemen stopped the activists' attempt to break through to the seized building. At 2:50 a.m. of July 21, 51 people were hospitalized to medical centres of the Armenian capital. Of them, 28 were policemen.

According to an official from the Police of Armenia, the citizens were brought to police stations on suspicion of using violence against public officers or threat of violence. All the detainees were brought to the police stations of Yerevan.

"The citizens, whose guilt had not been proven within the statutory period, were released. The evidence concerning the rest of detainees had been presented to the investigating authority for investigation," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by the spokesman of the Police of Armenia.

On July 17, supporters of the "Constituent Parliament" seized the building of the patrol-and-security service regiment of the police in Yerevan. During the seizure of the building, one policeman was killed, and other six persons were injured. The negotiations with the rebels, who seized the building, are underway for the fifth day. The National Security Service of Armenia has urged the rebels to surrender and free the police officers. On July 18, three policemen were released. As of the evening of July 20, four police officers are still held hostage.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.