President Serzh Sargsyan made a public statement concerning the Erebouni police regiment which was occupied in early morning of July 17 by an armed group called Daredevils of Sassoun. Sargsyan, who had not previously appeared publicly or responded to the situation, held a meeting with the heads of law enforcement bodies and called the armed group to immediately put down the guns.
“Our country is currently going through difficult and challenging days. Of course, I will not discuss the causes. Now is not the right time. I can only say that we all should learn lessons from this,” he said.
Sargsyan noted “that problems cannot be solved through violence and force. Further development of this illusion risks very serious consequences for our country and statehood.”
“The resolution of this situation will be the most important test of the maturity of Armenia, our society and state,” he said calling the armed men “to exercise restraint and not risk the lives of others by their provocative actions.”
President Sargsyan stressed that hostages must be released, the armed group must put down their guns. “A settlement of the situation will be in strict accordance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Armenia. All attempts of personal revenge will be prohibited in accordance with the law,” he said
He promised to take all possible measures for a final peaceful solution to the situation.
“We act and will act with patience. The life and health of every citizen of our country is dear to us. We have not taken the classic route in such situations. By this we have given the armed group the opportunity to take a step back. I hope they will assess the situation with sobriety. But we cannot allow our entire society to be held hostage to this tension. I think that this situation has lasted longer than we can afford,” president Sargsyan said.
