2016 Yerevan hostage crisis

2016 Yerevan hostage crisis
Armed group leader Pavlik Manukyan (centre) and his men after seizing the police station in Yerevan.
Date 17–31 July 2016 Location Erebuni District, Yerevan, Armenia
Belligerents
Government of Armenia	Sasna Tsrrer armed group Anti-government protesters
Commanders and leaders
Serzh Sargsyan Vladimir Gasparyan Georgi Kutoyan	Pavlik Manukyan[1] Arayik Khandoyan
Units involved
Police of Armenia National Security Service	Sasna Tsrer
Strength
Unknown	31 gunmen Over 20,000 protesters
Casualties and losses
2 police officers KIA, 1 police officer DOW, 26 WIA	5 gunmen wounded, one protester committed suicide, 100 protesters wounded, 26 people arrested

On 17 July 2016, a group of armed men calling themselves the Daredevils of Sasun (Armenian: Սասնա Ծռեր Sasna Tsrrer; the name is taken from an epic poem) stormed a police station in Yerevan, Armenia, and took nine hostages. They demanded the release of opposition leader Jirair Sefilian, and the resignation of President Serzh Sargsyan. Two policeman were killed in the attack. The group began a standoff with government forces, with growing crowds of protesters joining the calls for the resignation of the president.

Background

A controversial election occurred in 2013 which led to a loss of popularity for the governing Republican Party of Armenia. The Lebanese-born ethnic Armenian Jirair Sefilian leads the New Armenia Public Salvation Front.^[2] Sefilian was arrested in 2006 on charges of calling for "a violent overthrow of the government" and was jailed for 18 months. He was then released in 2008. In 2015, he and several of his supporters were arrested again on suspicion of preparing a coup, but released shortly afterwards. On 20 June 2016, Sefilian was arrested yet again. According to the Armenian Special Investigation Service, Sefilian and a group of people planned to seize buildings and communication facilities, including the Yerevan TV tower.^[3] When Sefilian was formally charged with acquiring and possessing weapons when he appeared in court, the allegations of plotting a coup were dropped.^[4]

Varuzhan Avetisian, a future Sasna Tsrer member, claimed that the opposition leader was arrested because he planned to campaign against Armenian territorial concessions to Azerbaijan.^[5] Tensions in the country have also been running high over Russian mediation attempts following the aftermath of the 2016 Armenian–Azerbaijani clashes. With the Kremlin suggesting to give some land back to Azerbaijan and in turn allow the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic to receive international recognition.^[4]

Hostage taking

The Daredevils of Sassoun took over the Ereubuni police station in Yerevan around 5:30 a.m. on July 17, 2016. The armed group drove a vehicle through the front door of the police station. One policeman was killed and at least two were injured (one of them died in hospital in 13 August).^[6] Nine people were taken hostage. Two policemen were released following negotiations. General Vitaly Balasanyan, a mediator between the government and the opposition, said those released were Yerevan's deputy police chief Valery Osipyan and national deputy police chief Vardan Yeghiazaryan. Throughout the day Facebook was inaccessible and the websites of media outlets reporting on developments were being shut down.^[7]

On July 21, after releasing two hostages, the gunmen still held onto four hostages total. These hostages included: General Major Vardan Egiazaryan, the deputy head of the Armenian police force, and Colonel Valeri Osipyan, the deputy chief of Yerevan’s municipal police force.^[8] During the siege two of the armed men have sustained injuries^[9]

On July 22, President Serzh Sargsyan addressed the nation and said, " I urge the armed people, who have occupied the territory of the police headquarters, to show restraint and not endanger the lives of others with their reckless moves. Hostages must be released,” and also added that the armed group must also surrender their weapons.^[10] The same day, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Supreme Body of Armenia condemned the acts of Sasna Tsrer by stating, "The A.R.F.-Dashnaktsutyun seeks the settlement of the current situation exclusively by peaceful means, considers new bloodshed as unacceptable, demands professionalism from law enforcing agencies, demands that the rights and dignity of law-abiding citizens be respected, and strongly condemns non-political methods and extremist thinking."^[11]

On 23 July, there were indications the standoff was over.^[12] 4 officers were set free, which included Vartan Yeghiazarian and Valeri Osipinian. During negotiations, Armenian law enforcement allowed Sasna Tsrer to speak with journalists in a designated neutral zone around the occupied police station. Approximately 40 reporters held a news conference but were not allowed to hold a live broadcast.^[13] At the news conference, Pavlik Manukyan stated that the police department has become evil for the people and enjoy lavish life styles with the use of unnecessary military equipment for policing.^[14]

On 25 July, the gunmen had set a police vehicle on fire inside the headquarters, according to police spokesman Ashot Aharonian. It was the third vehicle to have been burned in two days.^[15]

On July 27, 4 medics were allowed to enter the police station to treat Araik Handonyan, one of the armed men who was wounded in the leg but refused to go to the hospital.^[16]

On July 30, the police issued an ultimatum to release all hostages and vacate the building or prepare for a police assault. Sasna Tsrer opened fire and shot down another officer. The group eventually surrendered that day to avoid further bloodshed.^[17] After surrendering, the group issued a statement saying, "We will continue our struggle from prison. We believe that we have achieved our goal: we became the spark that allowed people to rise up and it makes no sense to spill blood."^[18]

Demonstrators chose to march down Baghramyan Avenue towards the presidential residence and government buildings but were met with police, who placed coils of barbed wire across the avenue to stop the protests. Demonstrators still managed to block traffic for two hours and eventually dispersed the following day.^[19]

Solidarity

Over 1,500 anti-government protesters held a rally in Yerevan on 18 July, calling for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.^[2] Violent protests also occurred where opposition supporters threw stones at police outside the hostage situation. They were hit back with tear gas and stun grenades.^[20] On 25 July, in a large show of support, thousands of protesters marched in Yerevan chanting "unity" and called for bystanders to join them—who swelled their numbers—as the march progressed toward Yerevan’s central Republic Square.^[21] On 28 July, with the protesters growing in number (up to 20,000),^[22] riot police fired stun and flash grenades on one group of protesters and journalists, while a large group of plainclothes police attacked them with metal rods, and entered neighboring homes. 60 people were injured.^[23] The international community condemned these attacks and the attacks on the journalists. 14 journalists were attacked during the incident.^[24] Popular political activiests were arrested including Alexander Yenikomshian, Armen Martirosyan, Andrias Ghukasyan, David Sanasaryan. Yeghishe Petrosyan, one of the leaders of "Ardzagank" rock band, was also arrested and then released.

Crisis ends

On 31 July, the crisis ended after the gunmen surrendered following police threats to storm the building. Police reported that 20 gunmen were arrested and the police station was unoccupied. Health Ministry Spokeswoman Anahit Haytayan also announced that the last two remaining hostages, both medics who were in the compound to treat the wounded of their own volition, had been released. Before surrendering, the attackers released a statement that read: "We will continue our struggle from prison. We believe that we have achieved our goal: we became the spark that allowed people to rise up and it makes no sense to spill blood."^[25][26] They also stated "We want the people, and the international community, to realise that this is a national liberation movement against Russian colonialism".^[27]

The protests in Yerevan continued from 1 to 11 August.^[28][29] On 4 August, during a rally in Yerevan, about 20 protesters were taken into police custody.^[30]

Aftermath

As a result of internal investigation in the Armenian police, a number of policemen were fined. The Chief of Yerevan Police, Lieutenant General Ashot Karapetyan, also received a strict warning and was relieved of his duties on 8 August. He was sacked upon order of the Armenian Chief of Police Vladimir Gasparyan.^[31]

Casualties

On July 21, 2016 Protests erupted within Yerevan because of the government's handling of the hostage situation. Armenian interior ministry stated 51 people were injured, 28 of whom were police officers due to stone throwing from protestors.^[32] Police reported 136 people have been detained during the government protests.^[33] Protesters taken to police regiments were beaten and not given food or water for hours.^[33]

On 30 July, the police claimed that a sniper opened fire from inside the police station and killed a police officer who was sitting in a car parked 350–400 metres (about 1,200 feet) away,^[34] bringing the total police death count to two. Sasna Tsrrer denied responsibility for the shooting and said they did not have a line of sight to have shot the officer,^[35] which police deny. The gunmen suggested that of the two deaths, one could have been shot by police snipers by mistake.^[25]

On 30 July, an Armenian protester, Kajik Grigoryan, attempted self-immolation, burning over 50 percent of his body.^[36] On 2 August, he died in hospital.^[37]

Reactions

Armenian

First Deputy Police Chief Hunan Pogosyan said during the early days: "Talks are underway with the hostage-takers. We are doing our best to resolve the situation without bloodshed."^[38]

On 29 July, activists called upon members of the Armenian diaspora to raise awareness of the "regime violence" in Armenia.^[39] Within the North American diaspora, Serj Tankian wrote in favor of the protesters^[40] and Lebanese-born Arsinée Khanjian participated in the protests and spoke in favor of the protests. She was detained by police at one point.^[41] In Europe, three French-Armenian organizations (Renaissance Arménienne, Charjoum le Mouvement and CollectifAzatDzayn) declared their support for the protesters^[42]

International

The European Union's Federica Mogherini issued a statement that read: "The latest developments... are very worrying. We call for an immediate release of the medical staff that is being held hostage. At the same time, we reiterate our call on the Armenian authorities to refrain from excessive use of force by the police in handling public manifestations. Likewise, demonstrators need to refrain from violence in the exercise of their civil rights. Use of force and violence to achieve political change are not acceptable. Conflicts need to be resolved through political dialogue with a respect for democracy, rule of law and fundamental freedoms."^[43]

According to Human Rights Watch, Armenian police used excessive force against peaceful protesters on 29 July 2016, and assaulted journalists reporting on the demonstrations. The police also beat journalists and protesters and detained dozens of people: “While the police have an obligation to maintain public order, they do not have carte blanche to use violence against people gathered to peacefully express their views.”^[44]

Reporters Without Borders also issued a statement.^[45] Freedom House published an analysis reporting that the occupation of a police station "drew unexpected public support".^[46]

References