Police will honour the memory of victims
The Chief of the Armenian Police, Alik Sargsyan doesn't support the annual report of the U.S. Department of State which gives a negative evaluation to the violent clashes between the police and demonstrators in Yerevan on March 1, 2008. In particular, the report underlines that the Armenian police gave an inadequate response to the demonstrators. Alik Sargsyan says the U.S. State Department had better care for the clashes in their country. "The same truncheons, teargas are used. People are taken into custody."
When journalists reminded that the police don't open fire at demonstrators in France, Alik Sargsyan said "the French opposition only holds peaceful rallies." He also advised journalists to refrain from comparing Armenia with France.
Let's remind that during a similar rally in France "peaceful demonstrators" set hundreds of cars and state buildings on fire and broke shop windows.
"I don't think the Armenian police employed excessive force or acted beyond the law,» said Alik Sargsyan.
"I don't think that active steps are being taken now that may lead to the violation of human rights," he added regarding the recent report on Armenia by Human Wrights Watch.
The police didn't imagine that provocations can be incited, therefore they didn't supervise the situation and couldn't avert the further clashes in due time.
"Idleness is also considered a crime" reminded the chief of the police and added that this could be the only indictment.
Alik Sargsyan says they are not concerned about the upcoming rally of March 1. They are well prepared and will be able to control the situation round-the-clock. The police will isolate anyone who will call for mass disorder.
Alik Sargsryan says that people have a right to freely walk in the streets and look from their balconies. "The atmosphere of fear must be dispersed in Yerevan", said Alik Sargsryan. The Chief of the Police announced that the police also had two victims on March 1 and they are going to honour their memory.
