In the interview with Aravot.am, Head of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office, Arthur Sakunts, informed that they had received alarm calls associated with a number of police departments, hence, their human right activists Anahit Chilingaryan and Arthur Harutyunyan are going by the tracks of the calls. Mr. Sakunts assured that what happened in the morning of June 23 in Saryan Street when the police dispersed the “No to robbery” initiative’s peaceful demonstration was expected. “It was clear that Serzh Sargsyan could not demonstrate so humane approach towards the citizens of his country, but with such viciousness? The problem is not only the atrocity of the actions, such a huge police forces are concentrated against a group of people, but the kidnapping of people, this form of actions.”
Mr. Sakunts believes that the goal of dispersing the peaceful sit-in in such a way is also an implication of psychological pressure. He noted, “If they were preventing or were not allowed, they could prevent at the Liberty Square. I see a number of parallels associated with the events of Shant. They were also organizing a sit-in for days and no one was saying anything, but they waited for a few days and then carried out a provocation. But it was a peaceful sit-in, they could take people one by one and take them away, but they did it is a demonstrative way.” Arthur Sakunts believes that the police behavior has become much more sadistic. “This has an implication of psychological pressure, the behavior has become much more sadistic. At first glance, it was democratic, Osipyan was urging and conducting philosophical talks, and then the situation changed dramatically, but later, a different situation was created by 180 degrees.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
