A group of Armenian intellectuals has applied to Karabakh war hero Zhirayr Sefilyan, who is under arrest now, with a request to influence on his supporters from "Sasna Tsrer" group.
"Dear Zhirayr, we apply to you with a request being sure that you will appreciate and attach importance to the opinion and advice of intellectuals. Believing in your logics and patriotism we are sure that you will interfere and will urge your friends to lay down arms and surrender to the law enforcement bodies. We are convinced that your friends and your reasonable steps will serve to national unity, peace and security", the letter reads. A number of composers, musicians, directors and writers have signed the letter.
To recall, on July 17, Artsakh war hero Zhirayr Sefilyan's armed supporters, who are calling themselves "Sasna Tsrer" (The Daredevils of Sasun), seized the building of the Patrol-Guard Service Regiment in Erebuni district of Yerevan. They demand releasing Sefilyan, who was arrested on June 20 on suspicion of acquisition and keeping of weapons and ammunition. The armed group is still holding police as hostages. Deputy Head of the Patrol- Guard Service Regiment, Colonel Artur Vanoyan was killed in the incident. Armenian MP Nikol Pashinyan says that during his visit to the Erebuni Police Department building he saw 26 members of the "Sasna Tsrer" group.
The access routes to the building are still blocked and the police are on combat duty. Dozens of people spent the night in the territory adjacent to the building to support Sasna Tsrer. On July 19 evening, protests developed into clashes between the residents of Sari Tagh district and the law enforcers. 4 policemen were hospitalized with injuries.