YEREVAN. – Three people were arrested and charged of participating in mass riots in Yerevan on July 20.

The tension flared up during the Thursday night when violent clashes broke out between police and protesters, many of them got injuries. Over 130 people were detained, and 16 were arrested.

A group of armed men stormed into a Yerevan police patrol regiment, on early morning on July 17, and took several police officers hostage. Deputy regiment commander Artur Vanoyan was killed, and four other officers of the law plus one of the attackers were wounded during the ensuing gunfire exchange. On Saturday the hostages were released.

The gunmen demand the release of Jirair Sefilian, an imprisoned opposition activist.