Armenia Pressing Charges Against 6 People Detained During Yerevan Riots

Six residents of Yerevan who were detained for violence against police during the recent riots in the Armenian capital will be charged for participating in mass disorders, the press service of the Armenian Investigative Committee said Monday.

YEREVAN (Sputnik) — On July 17, an armed group took several police officers hostage at a police station in the Erebuni district of Yerevan, demanding the release of Jirair Sefilian, an opposition politician and founder of the New Armenia Public Salvation Front.

On July 20, a rally near the seized police building led to clashes with law enforcement officers. Protesters threw rocks and pieces of heavy debris at police, who responded with warning shots and stun grenades before managing to detain several protesters.

"Charges were pressed against six persons for involvement in disorders according to the Part 2 of Article 225 of the RA [Republic of Armenia] Criminal Code; that is being involved in mass disorders accompanied with the destruction of property, violence against police officers who are representatives of the authorities," the press service said in a statement.

According to the press service, the state investigators asked for the accused to be remanded in custody while awaiting trial.

Sefilian, who took part in the 1988-1994 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan, is accused of the illegal acquisition and possession of arms.