Destabilization of the situation and pressure on authorities prevail in "Sasna Tsrer" group's actions, senior specialist at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, head of the Scientific Society of Caucasian Studies Alexander Krylov expressed this opinion to ArmInfo.
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.
"The attempt of the revolt in Armenia may be related to the upcoming parliamentarian elections and behind-the-scenes intrigues over them. Particularly, pro-western parties in Armenia and their western supporters on building democracy may exert pressure on the authorities in Yerevan in such a way and get quite unexpected results on the elections", he noted.
Krylov admits that during this process certain people, groups, activists may be used or patriotic slogans in support for Nagorno-Karabakh Republic may be voiced formally. The political scientist is sure that the intention to change situation in South Caucasus not in Russia's favor via Armenia's changing sides to West significantly increases the possibility of Armenian "Maidan" up to the scenarios implemented in Tbilisi and Kiev.
Noting the impossibility of using Russian troops located in Armenia by Yerevan in case of internal conflict Krylov considers not surprising that Armenian authorities prefer not to escalate relations with the potential initiators of the Armenian "Maidan" and are ready to continue cooperation with the West within the project of Armenia's association.