The RA Police issued a warning statement regarding the issue of armed persons in peaceful assembly of people. The statement, in particular, touched upon the issue of the a arrest of two armed persons at the gathering in Yerevan yesterday. The warning statement reads:
Yesterday, at around 22 pm, at the Liberty Square police arrested a number of citizens, who told they had gathered there spontaneously to follow the developments in Gyumri. Pistols were found at two arrested participants of the gathering.
Police of the Republic of Armenia, pursuant to the legislation of the RA, international obligations of the RA, the RA law «On the freedom of assemblies», has always ensured and currently continues to ensure the natural process of peaceful assemblies and shows tolerant approach, as long as the assemblies will be peaceful.
The RA police announce that a public event attended by armed men, whatever it is reasoned by and regardless of the legality of bearing arms is not protected by the Constitution and the law, and cannot be tolerated, given its possible grave consequences.
The RA Police warn that participation of armed men in the gathering require application of immediate drastic measures provided by the law, to prevent the participants of the peaceful assembly and the society from bearing irreparable and grave losses.
The RA Police remind that under the requirements of Article 33 of the RA Law on Freedom of Assembly, the Police may terminate an assembly if there is no other possibility of preventing disproportionate restrictions of the constitutional rights of other persons or of the public interest.
