YEREVAN, JULY 27, ARMENPRESS. The National Security Service of Armenia issued an announcement once again demanding the gunmen to immediately remove all obstacles for providing proper medical assistance to the wounded persons, immediately release all hostages, lay down the weapons and surrender to authorities.

The NSS announcement reads:

“On July 26 the National Security Service had officially warned the gunmen -who have seized the Police precinct -multiple times both verbally and written to immediately stop the continuing criminal actions, in particularly not to open fire, as well as leave the precinct. Simultaneously the gunmen were warned that in case of failing to meet the demands, as a last resort firearms will be used against them.

Nevertheless, several gunmen have ignored the abovementioned demands and without the intention to surrender or other grounded necessity, have exited the precinct with weapons, as a response situational actions were taken to neutralize them. During the special operation, several gunmen opened heavy gunfire at law enforcement officers, as a result wounding an officer. As a result of appropriate operations four gunmen have been neutralized, two of whom were wounded, while the other two were forced to surrender.

The NSS reports that within the framework of the criminal case in regard to the Police precinct ambush, credible information has been acquired through special operative-investigative and judicial measures (including a legally obtained recording), according to which several members of the armed group are being held in the precinct since July 17 against their will.

Moreover, these people have expressed worries that in an attempt to surrender other members of the armed group might retaliate.  

Moreover, in the morning of July 27, several gunmen have taken four paramedics hostage by taking advantage of the state’s willingness to deliver medical assistance to the wounded gunmen.

The NSS states the terrorist actions of the more active members of the armed group are currently threatening not only the hostages, but also the other members of the armed group, especially the lives of the wounded ones.

In this new situation an absolute necessity of protecting the lives of the abovementioned persons is present, which requires law enforcement agencies to take necessary and adequate measures for preventing and deterring terrorist actions.

The National Security Service demands the gunmen to :

1 – Immediately eliminate all obstacles for providing medical assistance to wounded persons

2 – Immediately release all hostages

3 – Lay down the weapons and surrender to authorities

There is still the opportunity, but time is running out”.