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US embassy calls on Armenian government, opposition to show restraint

The situation in Yerevan remains very tense. The police detained 253 activists on Sunday alone

YEREVAN, April 22. /TASS/. The US embassy in Armenia has called on the parties to the political crisis in Armenia to show restraint.

"We urge the government to show restraint to allow for peaceful protest and we urge those exercising their freedom of assembly to do so responsibly, to avoid violence, and to prevent an escalation of tensions," the embassy said in a statement on Sunday.

"We are concerned over reports of violence against journalists and demonstrators; we emphasize the need for those responsible for violence against police or demonstrators to be held accountable under the law," the embassy said.

"A peaceful resolution requires meaningful political dialogue in good faith," the embassy stressed and called on "police and protesters to adhere to peaceful, legal means for freedom of assembly as provided for by the Armenian constitution."

The situation in Yerevan remains very tense. The police detained 253 activists on Sunday alone.

Mass rallies began in Yerevan and other cities of Armenia on Monday protesting against the nomination of former president Serzh Sargsyan’s candidacy for prime minister. On Tuesday, Sargsyan was elected prime minister.

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