VIDEO: Protest Outside the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Support of Tavush Residents

The "Hayakve" initiative is holding a protest outside the Ministry of Internal Affairs in support of the residents of Tavush. They are carrying placards that read: "Do not become accomplices," "You are being deceived. Do not violate the main law," "Ensure the right to free movement," "Surrender your epaulets, join the people," and "You are not 'yashma.'"

Coordinator Avetik Chalabyan stated in an interview with reporters that the territories being handed over to Azerbaijan are considered part of the Republic of Armenia, as there is no inter-state agreement recognizing these territories as part of any other state.

Ministry spokesperson Narek Sargsyan mentioned that the minister is currently not on-site and a discussion is underway, indicating that they will get in touch with the organizers and arrange a meeting. In response, initiative member Menua Soghomonyan expressed the desire for the meeting with the Minister of Internal Affairs to take place in the presence of media.

It is noteworthy that early in the morning, around 6 AM, a large police force arrived in the village of Kiran, where they used brute force to detain residents who were blocking the road, including minors. Eyewitnesses report that people were beaten during the detainment. Bishop Bagrat is also near the police station.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has released a statement indicating that the Ministry of Defense is conducting demining operations in the Kiran-Kheyrimli area, which is why the roads have been closed. Journalists are also not allowed to enter the village.

According to the village head Kamo Shahinyan, they were on duty to prevent the demining operations from taking place. For more details, see the video.