YEREVAN. - Unfortunately, facts of showdown between the criminal elements and demonstrators have been recorded, says the statement of the Supreme Body of ARF Dashnaktsutyun on the Friday clashes between the police and demonstrators in Yerevan’s Sari Tagh district.

The statement reads: “Unfortunately, the call for reasonableness and tolerance, as well as the efforts for the settlement satisfying the widest strata of society, has not achieved its objectives. The fragile dialogue was interrupted. In separate cases, the police used inadequate force not only against the rally and march participants, but also against journalists carrying out their professional duties, and citizens which had nothing to do with the happening. Unfortunately, facts of provocation by the criminal elements and yard authorities, as well as showdown with the demonstrators have been recorded. We strongly condemn the happening and consider it necessary to punish those guilty.

Any manifestation of violence and new clashes should be excluded. It is necessary to abandon the principle of “the end justifies the means”.

Apparently, the current situation doesn’t satisfy wide strata of society and convincing steps are needed to radically change the situation. To make the peaceful settlement possible, the armed group members, their supporters and rally organizers should abandon non-realistic demands, unlawful methods of struggle and extremist actions, while the authorities should exclude the possibility of reprisal against the armed group members and the people. It is necessary to propose specific measures to give the armed group members an opportunity to surrender and restore the normal course of life,” the statement says.