Armed Individuals Seize a Police Station in Yerevan

A group of armed individuals affiliated with an opposition leader in Armenia seized a police building in the capital on Sunday, July 18, and took several people hostage. According to AFP, these armed individuals, numbering around 30, are demanding the release of Ghirar Sefilian, an opposition politician, as well as the removal of the country's president from power. Ghirar Sefilian has been imprisoned since June on charges of organizing an armed group to seize the central television building and other important buildings in Yerevan. Reports indicate that the armed group supporting Ghirar Sefilian entered a police base in Yerevan early Sunday after a clash with police forces, killing one officer and injuring two others, and took eight police officers hostage. According to the kidnappers, the deputy chief of the Armenian police and the deputy chief of police in Yerevan are among the hostages. Meanwhile, on Sunday, some reports indicated the arrest of several opposition members who intended to gather in Freedom Square in Yerevan. According to AFP, Armenia's National Security Service issued a statement on Sunday rejecting rumors circulating on social media that a 'coup' is forming in Armenia, emphasizing that the situation in the country is 'normal.' The National Security Service also reported that police have surrounded the hostage situation and negotiations for the release of the hostages are ongoing. Ghirar Sefilian had previously been arrested in 2006 on charges of planning a coup but was released in 2008.