Shootings in Shirak region. According to Artik residents the MP`s bodyguard kidnapped the officer.

As photojournalist Gagik Shamshyan informed LURER.com, on Jan. 10 shootings were heard in Armenia`s Shiirak region.

In Artik city the shots were preceded by a brutal fight also involving a police officer. A group of men had approached Artik police department officer Lukash Minasyan, had a short conversation, and then took him into their car and disappeared. The same group continued the ‘skirmish’ at a place in Artik, in a cafe, where a fight broke shortly thereafter. The group severely beat the police officer, who fired shots in the direction of the group. According to our source, the group’s ‘ringleader,’ a certain Getap village resident Anushavan Baghdasaryan - who, according to Artik residents, is one of the bodyguards of the ruling coalition’s Prosperous Armenia Party MP Martun Grigoryan and his father - was shot in the foot. Anushavan, with an injured foot and together with his friends, pursued the police officer who, while escaping, was firing shots outside into the air. The argument had begun when the group had attempted to settle scores with the police officer, concerning a matter in connection with the officer’s brother.

The Police Force is currently preparing material on the incident.