YEREVAN, JULY 17, ARMENPRESS: The expression of discontent via armed means is not the best way. Commenting on the hostage situation in Yerevan, in a conversation with “Armenpress” said Davit Shanhnazaryan, the head of the “Concord” political studies center. “These actions are not the most efficient way to express discontent. Let’s hope that there would be no further bloodshed, as it could be a very heavy blow on Armenia. The situation should be resolved with peaceful negotiations,” he said. The first Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia Larisa Alaverdyan also opposes the violent means to express discontent. “I don’t think that this way of acting is efficient, it will not bring positive effects. These actions might lead to more victims,” Alaverdyan said.

An armed group has entered the building of the patrol police department in Yerevan and keeps people there with the threat of violence. The official statement of the National Security Service of Armenia runs as follows “A group of armed people have taken hostage a small group of policemen and in order to release them they demand the release of Jirayr Sefilyan who was imprisoned with the charges of illegally obtaining, keeping, transporting weaponry. A policeman has been killed, two have been wounded. In order to stop and disrupt the criminal actions of the armed group that illegally holds the area, the Special Forces have released two hostages. Armenian law enforcement bodies fully control the situation and have undertaken all necessary means to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, the National Security Service calls on the mass media to use the information from official sources, as in case of the contrary that would assist the illegal actions and would pose threat for people’s life and health.”