Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan made a statement related to the situation of seizure of building of the Patrol-Guard Service Regiment in Erebuni district.
"What happened on July 17 is inadmissible and condemnable, as it is impossible to reach real changes via violation", Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan stated on the government's session on July 21.
At the same time the Prime Minister assured that the current situation raises concerns and the authorities will do everything possible for peaceful resolution of the situation.
At the same time the head of the government called the process launched by the armed group "unacceptable and futureless".
Abrahamyan also expressed condolences to the relatives and friends of the Police Colonel Artur Vanoyan killed during the attack on the building.
To recall, on July 17, Artsakh war hero Zhirayr Sefilyan's armed supporters, who are calling themselves "Sasna Tsrer" (The Daredevils of Sasun), seized the building of the Patrol-Guard Service Regiment in Erebuni district of Yerevan. They demand releasing Sefilyan, who was arrested on June 20 on suspicion of acquisition and keeping of weapons and ammunition. The armed group is still holding police as hostages. Deputy Head of the Patrol- Guard Service Regiment, Colonel Artur Vanoyan was killed in the incident. Armenian MP Nikol Pashinyan says that during his visit to the Erebuni Police Department building he saw 26 members of the "Sasna Tsrer" group.
On June 20, 2016, Zhirayr Sefilyan was detained on suspicion of organizing a criminal group. 8 persons face charges of acquisition and keeping of weapons and ammunition. 6 have been arrested and 1 is wanted. According to the Special Investigative Service of Armenia, Sefilyan and his supporters were planning to seize buildings of state importance in early April. Two-month arrest has been chosen as a measure of restraint against Sefilyan, however, his supporters think the case is a frame-up and the arrest is political persecution for his political views, activities and statements about the territorial losses the Armenian side suffered during the April war.