YEREVAN, JULY 21, ARMENPRESS. Moscow condemns the occupation of a police headquarter in Yerevan and support the measures taken by the police, “Armenpress” reports Russian MFA official representative Maria Zakharova announced.

“We strictly condemn the armed assault on the patrol service regiment in Yerevan that took place on July 17. It caused death to a police officer. We find such criminal deeds inadmissible, which endanger the lives and safety of the citizens of the Republic”, Maria Zakharova said.  

She also hoped that the measures taken by the authorities will normalize the situation in the near future, release the hostages, conduct a complete investigation of the incident and punish the guilty.

In the morning of July 17 gunmen stormed a Police HQ in Yerevan and took hostages – demanding the release of Zhirayr Sefilyan, who was imprisoned a month ago, charged with illegal possession, transportation and acquirement of weapons and ammunition. Police Colonel Artur Vanoyan has been killed by the gunmen during the ambush. Colonel Aram Hovhannisyan, Lt.-Colonel Hrach Khosteghyan, Corporal Gagik Mkrtchyan received gunshot wounds.

Clashes between riot police and the protesters occurred in Khorentsi street of Yerevan in the evening of July 20.