Yerevan: relatives of those accused of riots, go on sit-in strike

The protesters, who have gathered near the building of the General Prosecutor's Office (GPO) of Armenia, demand to release the arrested residents of Sari Tag, accused of mass riots on July 19, 2016.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 19, 2016, in Yerevan, demonstrators tried to break into the building of the police regiment captured by the "Sasna Tsrer" detachment. Four residents of Sari Tag, Arutyun Torosyan, Grair Isakhanyan, Eduard Zeitunyan and Andranik Keseyan – were arrested and charged with using violence against power officials. On March 25, Zeitunyan's wife reported that he had gone on a hunger strike in jail in protest against his arrest.

The protesters at the GPO building hold posters, reading: "Freedom to 10 guys from Sari Tag!" and "Household problems = 5-10 years". There are nine protesters now, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

"There is no evidence of their guilt; however, they are in custody for nine months already," Toros Torosyan, a protester and a brother of the arrested Arutyun Torosyan, explained to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to the protesters, they intend to hold daily actions from morning until the end of the working day at the GPO building, until the Sari Tag residents are released.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.