Group that took over police department in Yerevan releases two hostages (Part 2
YEREVAN. July 18 (Interfax) - An armed group that took over a police and interior troops department in Yerevan has released two of the six hostages, the Armenian National Security Service said.
"One police officer and an ambulance driver were released as a result of the lengthy negotiations held in the early hours of July 18," the National Security Service said.
According to the report, the armed group is refusing to lay down its weapons and surrender to the authorities. "The Armenian law enforcement agencies are using all accessible and possible methods to peacefully resolve the situation, but it may not be enough in the current situation. We are calling on the members of the armed group to refrain from actions that can cause new casualties and grave consequences and stop armed resistance. There is still time and chance for that," the Armenian National Security Service said in its statement.
The statement also said that "the terrorists have a lot of weapons at their disposal and pose a direct threat not only to hostages, but also to the public."
A group of armed people took over a police department to free Zhirair Sefilyan, coordinator of the Armenian opposition civil initiative Founding Parliament, who is under arrest on the charges of illegal purchase and storage of weapons, at dawn on Sunday. It was reported that one police officer was killed and four were wounded when the building was taken over.
Among the hostages are Maj. Gen. Vardan Yegiazaryan, deputy head of the Armenian police, and Col. Valery Osipyan, deputy head of the Yerevan police.