Moscow strongly condemns the armed takeover of a police building in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia.

Maria Zakharova, official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), said the aforementioned at a briefing in the Russian capital city, reported RIA Novosti news agency of Russia.

“We consider the criminal acts, which can pose an imminent threat to lives and safety of the people of the republic [of Armenia], to be unacceptable” added Zakharova

In her words, Russia supports the respective steps being taken by the Armenian authorities.

“We hope that they will enable to resolve the situation, release the hostages, conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, and punish the guilty in the nearest future,” stressed the Russian MFA representative.

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. 

Negotiations are still underway to release all hostages and end the armed resistance. Four people are still held hostage.

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

Clashes have ensued between police and protesters since this takeover.