Russian Foreign Ministry has criticized the European Union's statement related to the recent events in Yerevan.
"Yesterday during briefing of the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry we gave assessments on dramatic situation in Yerevan. We pointed attention at the statement made on the issue by the European Union's representation office in Armenia agreed with the heads of diplomatic missions of the EU member countries accredited to the country.
Surprisingly, the document did not include direct condemnation of the criminal actions, an armed attack on the police department building, policeman's killing and hostage taking. Instead the document focuses on the demands presented to the authorities to observe 'proportionality' and 'investigate cases of alleged wrongdoing by the police'. The impression is that EU's diplomats directly play to those forces in Armenia, which intend to destabilize internal political situation" the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry reads.
To note, on July 21 EU Delegation in Armenia disseminated a statement on recent events in Yerevan. The statement reads as follows: "The European Union Delegation issues the following statement in agreement with the EU Members States' Heads of Mission in Armenia. We stress that the use of force to achieve political change is unacceptable and offer our condolences to the family of Colonel Artur Vanoyan, Deputy Commander of the Patrol Regiment of the Yerevan Police Department. We wish all persons injured in connection with the hostage situation at the police station in Erebuni swift and full recovery. With concern we note reports on excessive use of force and mass arrests by the police. In that regard, we call on the authorities to observe the principle of proportionality in handling public manifestations, which applies to both peaceful and violent gatherings. Likewise, demonstrators need to refrain from violence in the exercise of their civil rights. We also take note of the statements issued by the Ombudsman and call for a full investigation of all cases of alleged wrongdoing by the police, including mistreatment, denial of access to lawyers and medical care."