Friday, July 22 2016 03:41

At the given stage, the task number one for the ruling Republican Party of Armenia is peaceful resolution of the situation in Yerevan after the Police Patrol Service Regiment in Yerevan's Erebuni districted was seized by armed loyalists of the jailed oppositionist Jirayr Sefilyan. 

The statement came from Eduard Sharmazanov, the spokesperson for the ruling Republican Party, Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament at a press briefing late in the evening on July 21.  Sharmazanov called the incident a tragedy that claimed the life of Colonel Artur Vanoyan. The Republican Party representative extended his condolences to the family and friends of the killed police officer. 

"We do not need new blood. We have no enemies inside Armenia. Everyone is our brother. There are many problems, but the task number one at the given stage is to achieve a peaceful resolution by all means possible and through talks," Sharmazanov said. In his words, since the first day of the incident, the National Security Service of Armenia has informed the public and mass media about the measures taken by the law- enforcers. "The police and security services pursued a single goal - to resolve the current heavy situation by peaceful methods and without bloodshed," the vice speaker said. Commenting on the silence of the country's political leadership over the standoff, Sharmazanov said the silence of the Republican Party members, including his silence, pursued one goal - not to impede the talks. "As long as there are talks, it is necessary to observe the known principle: 'First, do not harm!'" he said.