Protesters in Kapan Halt Action, Open Road After Sending Arrested Youths to Yerevan

The mayor of Kapan, Manvel Paramazyan, announced earlier that there will be legal accountability for those who use violence. He assured the protesters that he has received guarantees from the police and investigators from the Special Investigative Service that the investigation of the criminal case will be conducted fairly.

“I was assured that we can even go together and participate in the preliminary investigation processes and you will see for yourselves that there will be no violence against anyone, while those who initially used violence will be held accountable,” said Paramazyan, emphasizing that the head of the Criminal Department of Armenia has provided guarantees and he does not believe that this official will fail to keep his word.

“If the guarantees are not upheld, there would be very serious consequences. It wouldn’t just be 1,000 people but the entire region would gather,” said Paramazyan.

After the mayor's comments, the protesters agreed to open the road and halt the protest action after sending the arrested youths to Yerevan. From among the protesters, someone shouted to the accompanying police officers, “You will feed our boys!”

It has been more than eight hours since the residents of Kapan have been gathered outside the police station, demanding the release of local youths detained by the Kapan police today. Mayor Manvel Paramazyan had entered the police station and after exiting, stated that he had seen the youths, who had been subjected to violence.