POLICE DIDN’T USE WEAPONS TO STOP DISORDERS IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.03.2008 17:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Policemen did not use weapons to stop disorders in
Yerevan. They used rubber batons and shields to rebuff the illegal
movement, RA police first deputy chief, lieutenant general Ararat
Makhtesyan said.

"Initially, the authorities did not intend to use force but there
was no other way out, since the situation got out of control. On
February 29, we received an alert on distribution of weapons among
the opposition rally participants. The attempt to carry out a search
came across a severe resistance and policemen could nothing but use
force," he said.

"After the demonstrators took streets toward the French Embassy,
police held talks with opposition leaders Levon Zurabyan and Nikol
Pashinyan to lead their supporters to the ground at Matenadaran.

However, some time later, the protesters were ordered not to
move. Pashinyan pushed them to enter battle with the police. As result,
several policemen were wounded," Makhtesyan said.