Gunmen locked in a lengthy stand-off with police in Armenia have released their last two hostages, an official said Sunday, after a fresh night of protests shook the capital Yerevan.
"Two medics who were the remaining hostages left the seized building yesterday evening," said health ministry spokeswoman Anahit Haytayan.
Armenia has been plunged into turmoil since a group of armed men seized a police compound in Yerevan on July 17, demanding the release of opposition figure Zhirair Sefilyan.
The lengthy siege appeared far from over, with an AFP correspondent reporting explosions from the compound.
The gunmen, who seized a cache of weapons and killed a police officer, initially held four doctors hostage but have gradually freed them.
Authorities on Saturday warned they have the right to use force against the group, which calls itself Sasna Tsrer, but have not yet begun to storm the building.
The hostage crisis has sparked massive protests, with police brutally dispersing thousands demonstrating on Friday evening, injuring scores of people.
Thousands more turned up on Saturday to another protest which ended without violence, although one man set himself on fire after dousing his clothes in gasoline. He was taken to hospital.
On Saturday a police officer was killed by a sniper who authorities said was firing from inside the seized police compound.
One of the gunmen, Varuzhan Avetisyan, on Sunday denied killing the officer.
AFP
Sun Jul 31 2016
Armenian police block a street to Erebuni police station seized by gunmen - supporters of fringe jailed opposition leader Zhirair Sefilyan - in Yerevan early on July 31, 2016. - AFP Photo
Media perlu manfaat kebebasan bersuara, rai kemajmukan Malaysia
Pengamal media di Malaysia perlu memanfaatkan kebebasan bersuara dengan sebaiknya tanpa perlu menggugat keharmonian dan menimbulkan sebarang kekacauan di negara ini.
10 Berita Pilihan - (03 Mei 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
AWANI Ringkas: Kes pemerasan RM1.25 juta
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
SPAN amal toleransi sifar terhadap isu rasuah, tatakelola
SPAN memandang serius sebarang isu melibatkan tatakelola, rasuah atau salah laku yang boleh menjejaskan tahap perkhidmatan dan imej industri perkhidmatan air negara.
PRK KKB: Nga sedia beri kerjasama kepada SPR isu peruntukan
Nga sedia memberi kerjasama kepada Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) berhubung aduan mengenai pengumuman peruntukan berjumlah RM5.21 juta kepada Majlis Perbandaran Hulu Selangor (MPHS).
AWANI Tonight: 3rd May 2024
#AWANITonight with Hafiz Marzukhi
- M'sia drops 34 spots to 107th in World Press Freedom Index
- Gaza: Turkiye halts all trade with Israel
#AWANIenglish #AWANInews
- M'sia drops 34 spots to 107th in World Press Freedom Index
- Gaza: Turkiye halts all trade with Israel
#AWANIenglish #AWANInews
Menteri Luar Malaysia akan wakili PM Anwar di Sesi Ke-15 Sidang Kemuncak OIC di Banjul, Gambia
Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan akan mengetuai delegasi Malaysia selaku wakil Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ke Sesi Ke-15 Sidang Kemuncak OIC di Banjul, Gambia dari 4 hingga 5 Mei ini.
Perhilitan Kelantan tangkap gajah liar ganggu penduduk di Tanah Merah
Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara (Perhilitan) Kelantan menangkap seekor gajah liar di Kampung Tal Tujuh, Jerangau, semalam.
Pemuda dipenjara lapan bulan, denda 1,500 kerana curi beg sandang wanita sarat hamil
Seorang pekerja sebuah syarikat penapis air yang mencuri beg sandang seorang wanita sarat mengandung sembilan bulan dihukum penjara selama lapan bulan oleh Mahkamah Majistret di sini hari ini.
AWANI 7:45 [03/05/2024] – 15 lokasi skrin besar | Malaysia di kedudukan 107 | Nasihat Mufti Perak
Laporan berita padat dan ringkas #AWANI745 bersama Syaff Shukri
Tumpuan #AWANI745 malam ini:
- Misi 'pecahkan Tembok Besar China' dan mara ke final Piala Thomas
- Indeks kebebasan media Malaysia merudum
- Tersasar daripada landasan keadilan Islam, mufti nasihat henti boikot KK Mart
- Cedera di kepala, kaki dan tangan, polis buru dua individu samun Akhyar Rasid
Saksikan #AWANI745 di saluran 501 Astro AWANI, Astro AWANI apps dan astroawani.com/live-tv
Tumpuan #AWANI745 malam ini:
- Misi 'pecahkan Tembok Besar China' dan mara ke final Piala Thomas
- Indeks kebebasan media Malaysia merudum
- Tersasar daripada landasan keadilan Islam, mufti nasihat henti boikot KK Mart
- Cedera di kepala, kaki dan tangan, polis buru dua individu samun Akhyar Rasid
Saksikan #AWANI745 di saluran 501 Astro AWANI, Astro AWANI apps dan astroawani.com/live-tv