Police of Armenia have disseminated a statement over the recent detentions in Yerevan.
In the statement, the Police say they received information that the Pre-Parliament NGO was planning a campaign with participation of 200 people in the Republic Square where Pope
Francis will hold an ecumenical meeting and prayer for peace tonight.
Under Article 225.1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (organization of mass disorders), 6 people were detained on suspicion of planning the above actions. The Police reported that security measures have been intensified in Yerevan and some other communities with the Pope's ongoing visit to Armenia. The Police call on the citizens and guests of Armenia to observe the law and public order.
Earlier today, the Police detained photo correspondent of armtimes.com Tigran Kirishchyan in Yerevan. The son of Tseghakron Party leader, activist Shant Haroutiunyan, Shahen, was detained from Gyumri's Vardanats Square prior to the Pope's Holy Mass. The Armenian media report that 10 members of the Founding Parliament have been kidnapped and taken to an undisclosed location, as they tried to organize a flash mob in support the political prisoners in the Republic Square where Pope Francis will hold an ecumenical meeting and prayer for peace tonight.