Standoff at Armenian police station enters third day

“Talks are under way with the hostage takers”, Poghosian told journalists on July 19.

He offered condolences to the police officer killed in the attack on the police building and said Washington encourages Armenian authorities to handle the situation with appropriate restraint.

General Hunan Poghosian, the first deputy chief of the Armenian national police force, said he still hoped the situation would be resolved peacefully.

The gunmen took over the Erebuni police station at dawn on July 17, killing one police officer and wounding six other people, and prompting a standoff with police.

Lines of police in flak jackets and helmets gathered outside the building Tuesday as parked trucks blocked off surrounding streets, an AFP photographer said.

Authorities have reportedly refrained from using force during the negotiations, but have arrested some 50 people on the streets of Yerevan during raids on July 17 who were unrelated to the incident.

The people taking the square are debating what action should the government take in the future. A number of protesters wanted to march toward the occupied police station but were stopped by riot police.

The gunmen are members of the Sasna Tsrer movement.

The gunmen, who captured a large arsenal of police weapons, freed four hostages on Sunday and Monday, but were still holding four hostages as of Wednesday night.

He added that the armed group refused to lay down their arms and surrender and that negotiations are ongoing.

The assailants say they are members of the “Founding Parliament” opposition group. “Those guys said they will respond to it tonight at 7 p.m”.