CSI Requires Releasing Opposition Citizens Arrested on Azatutyun Square

Civil Society Institute NGO has issued a statement expressing its concerns over the recent incidents on Azatutyun (Liberty) Square that were accompanied with "violation of human rights by the police. "

Since May 28 opposition citizens made several attempts to enter the area the Square occupies but the police and some civilians did not allow them to do so.

"Several people wearing civilian clothes were following the police orders and together with them were implementing acts of force. The result was that 17 citizens were taken to the police station of which three - Davit Kiramijyan, Sargis Gevorgyan and journalist Ani Gevorgyan - were arrested," reads the statement.

Further it says that CSI considers the police actions are not legally well-founded, violate Armenian citizens' right to freedom of expression and free movement and create additional tension in the society.

"We think that Davit Kiramijyan, Sargis Gevorgyan and Ani Gevorgyan are kept illegally," reads the statement, adding that they require to immediately release those arrested, to stop the restrictions on citizens' right to freedom of expression and free movement and to investigate the circumstances in which those civilians participated in the police actions on Azatutyun Square.