All the roads to Erebuni Police Patrol Service Regiment are blocked by trucks and police vehicles. The journalists, activists and representatives of non-governmental organizations have gathered on the other side of the blocked street.
Mr. Avetik Ishkhanyan, President of Armenian Helsinki Committee in the interview with Iravaban.net said that gathering of the journalists, activists, NGO representatives and citizens in that sector is rather important as it would keep back the authorities to resolve the issue with violence.
“This is the case where we should have patience and reach the settlement through negotiations, not to allow bloodshed. And for this reason the presence of NGO representatives, journalists is important. I’m here for this reason. On the way here, I also learned that there are illegal arrests here. Six persons were taken to the police just in front of me. Without saying anything, 6 or 7 policemen come, catch the people and take with them. Among the detained there were representatives of “Electric Yerevan” – Maxim, Karo Yegnukyan and others whom I do not know. There are worrying reports that violence had been committed against detainees.”
According to the human rights activist, this situation is to be solved through negotiations. Second, the government should not anger the public with arrests they have to calm the situation. “And after all, the government should realize one thing, if the problems are not resolved legally, there will be people who will try to solve them by force. Of course I do not accept the methods of using force, but also understand that people could turn to desperate measures.”
Note that the Vanadzor Helsinki Association has just issued a message that the wife and daughter of the “Founding Assembly” Vice President Varuzhan Avetisyan have been detained as well.
