YEREVAN, JULY 22, ARMENPRESS. On July 22 President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan convened a consultation with the participation of the leaders of the National Security Service, the Police, the Prosecutor General’s Office and the investigative bodies. The President was briefed on the details of the July 17 armed assault on the Police station and the following events as well as results of ongoing operations, press service of the Presidential administration informed “Armenpress”.

The President was also briefed that active negotiations are underway for achieving the release of the hostages from the Police station, laying down the weapons and surrender of the armed group to the authorities, other necessary operations are being conducted taking into account the existing situation.

The Armenian President emphasized that all possible measures must be taken for peacefully solving the existing situation, he stressed the importance of the comprehensive and impartial investigation of all possible violations of the law, as well as ensuring the inevitability of punishment of the culprits. Based on the consultation results, necessary instructions were given to heads of law enforcement agencies.

“Before starting our regular consultation let us once again state that these days our country faces difficult and responsible days. Of course, at this moment I will not touch upon the causes. Now is not the time for it. I will only say we should learn lessons from this.

I once again extend my condolences to fallen Colonel Artur Vanoyan’s family and relatives. We all owe him. We must do everything to solve this difficult situation and such tragedy must never be repeated.

The most dangerous mindset of our reality is in the source of this situation – solving issues with violence and use of force. The further development of this concern is fraught with very serious consequences for our country and the statehood.

No issues through violence, attack and taking hostages will be solved in Armenia. And we will never allow it. The resolution of this situation must be an important test of maturity of Armenia and our society, the state.

I urge the gunmen to show restraint and not endanger others’ life through their provocative actions.

The hostages must be released.

The armed group must lay down their weapons.

Further outcome will take place in accordance with the Constitution and Laws of the Republic of Armenia.

All attempts of personal revenge will be suppressed by the force of law.

Yes, many are dissatisfied in Armenia. However let no one be mistaken and think that they can exploit any opportunity or reason to destroy the foundation of our statehood.

I urge all representatives of our society to exercises their political and civil rights exclusively peaceful and within the frameworks of the law. I also urge no to be attracted to proposals and ideas of people who instigate extreme measures and provocations. It is fraught with serious dangers of new casualties.

I urge everyone to realize the real dangers arising from these provocations and extreme steps.

I instruct you – heads of law enforcement agencies – to continue your activities with strict restraint, within the framework of the law.

We continue taking all possible measures for the final peaceful outcome of the situation.

Once again I urge the armed group to lay down the weapons.

We act patiently and will continue acting patiently. The lives and health of every citizen of our country is very precious to us.

We didn’t take the path which is considered standard in these kinds of situations. By this we have given the armed group a chance to take a step backwards. I hope they will sober up.

But we don’t have the right to allow our entire society to be held hostage by this tension.

I think this situation is already taking place longer than we can afford. Much time hasn’t passed since April for the society to afford forgetting what happened.

Once again I urge everyone to restraint and vigilance, for the sake of Armenia’s and the Armenian people’s future”, President Sargsyan said.