So far there is a chance to avoid armed clashes and end the standoff and hostage situation in Yerevan. At least, the behavior of the authorities shows that they do not want to launch a military operation to release the hostages and arrest the armed group that seized the Police Patrol Service Regiment in Yerevan. Director of Institute for Countries of Eastern Europe and CIS Countries in Tel-Aviv, Dr.Alekxander Zinker made such statement talking to ArmInfo.
On July 17, an armed group calling itself "Daredevils of Sasoun" and comprising 26 loyalists of the jailed oppositionist Jirayr Sefilyan 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. The armed group demands resignation of President Serzh Sargsyan and release of their leader Jirair Sefilyan.
Meantime, Alexander Zinker addressed the silence of almost all the Armenian opposition parties. In his words, despite their objective discontent at the authorities, it would be wrong both strategically and tactically to support the armed attack and the non-constructive actions of the radicals. Zinker is sure that no one in Armenia wants "Maidan" in the country, since it will spark unimaginable chaos and confrontation in the political field and a collapse of the deteriorating economy.
"The loss of control over the country may push the participants and external actors to try to settle the Karabakh conflict not in favor of the Armenian people. Such attempts have been noticed more and more frequently recently. Therefore, I would like to hope that the Armenian people will apply to its centuries-old wisdom and find a way out of the current situation," he said.
The expert recommends the public to use all its civil activity to control the transparency and fairness of the election processes at the upcoming parliamentary elections and elect the power that will correct the legal and social and economic situation in the country.