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Moscow backs Armenia in ending hostage standoff — foreign ministry

The Russian Foreign Ministry condemns the seizure of the police station in Yerevan

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova Dmitriy Serebriakov/TASS

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova

© Dmitriy Serebriakov/TASS

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MOSCOW, July 21. /TASS/. The hostage standoff unfolding at a Yerevan police station is unacceptable and Moscow supports Yerevan’s measures in straightening out the crisis, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said on Thursday.

"We think that the seizure of the police station is deplorable. Such crimes pose a serious threat to the security of Armenia’s citizens," she said.

"We support the authorities’ measures and hope that it will lead to the release of the hostages, followed by a thorough investigation, which would bring those who are guilty to justice," Zakharova said.

Armed attackers abducted on-duty cops and later top police brass who had arrived on the scene for negotiations. Among those held hostage are, in particular, Armenia’s Deputy Police Chief, Major-General Vartan Yegiazaryan and Yerevan’s Deputy Police Chief, Colonel Valery Osipyan. As a result of the shootout, the regiment’s deputy commander was killed. That said are wounded on both sides.

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