Police Officer Shot Dead, But Armenian Standoff Continues
Source: RFE/RL
A standoff was continuing after sunrise on July 31 between police and gunmen who have occupied a police regimental headquarters In Yerevan for two weeks – despite the expiration on July 30 of an ultimatum deadline from authorities who have threatened to launch a full-scale assault against the gunmen. Small explosions and gunfire were reported late on July 30 near the occupied police building.
But a live camera feed operated by RFE/RL shortly after dawn on July 31 showed police still quietly manning barricades outside the building. On July 30, an Armenian police officer was shot dead in the ongoing standoff with the opposition gunmen barricaded inside the police station.
Police spokesman Ashot Aharonian said the 30-year-old policeman, Yuri Tepanosian, was killed by sniper fire as he sat in a police car parked "350-400 meters" from the compound. The incident occurred just a few hours before the deadline was set to expire for the gunmen to leave the premises or face a full-scale assault.
The gunmen have been inside the building since July 17, demanding the release of an opposition figure, among other things.
Read more: http://www.rferl.org/content/armenia-yerevan-standoff-police-killed/27890220.html
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