RA Police statement over Mashtots Park incident on April 29.

Following the recent clashes with the activists in Yerevan’s Mashtots Park, the Armenian Police has issued a statement explaining the reasons of its operations.

It particularly says that a crowd of people leveled the iron bars on Saturday and disobeying the police orders sought to dismantle the temporary kiosks.

“Taking advantage of the situation, another group of people in the park set up a tent at its discretion. Ignoring the police demands to take it down, those individuals resisted the policemen. And their attempts matured into a violence against representatives of the authorities who were performing their duties,” reads the statement.

According to the Police, all the seven individuals taken to the police station were given the opportunity to benefit from legal counseling and medical assistance, and were set free after the necessary procedures were completed.

The police declare that they have numerously warned through different public events that the activists’ attempt to dismantle the constructions is unlawful and in conflict with the legal right to free assemblies. It says further that the organizers and participants of the April 29 gathering knew or should have realized that their activities would meet an equivalent response. Having that in view, the police conclude that the protesters’ sought in this manner to provoke inter-personal clashes.

The police warn again that that they will keep pursuing their policies prevent or stop any unlawful act that could create an unnecessary tension.