A group of youths in Armenia’s Vanadzor  city initiated a candlelight vigil Thursday evening in the central Hayk Square in memory of “Food Provider”Artur Sargsyan.

According to the organizers, the youths are planning to continue the candlelight vigil launched on Thursday evening also at 6:30 pm on Friday. They invite everyone to join the event and pay tribute to the “Food Provider.”

Artur Sargsyan, who was charged with aiding the Sasna Tsrer armed group, was released from prison on December 31, 2016, since he had an illness that was incompatible with imprisonment. 

On February 9, however, he was arrested yet again.

Subsequently, Sargsyan went on hunger strike, and demanded that his preventive measure of arrest be commuted.

A few days ago, and with a written guarantee by several dozen MPs, he was released from prison and immediately taken to hospital.

Several days ago, however, he left the hospital on his own volition.

But his health grew worse on Wednesday evening. He was taken to “Armenia” Medical Center, where he underwent surgery, but he did not regain consciousness after this operation.

The Sasna Tsrer armed group had taken over a police patrol regiment building in Yerevan, taken hostages, but later surrendered, in July 2016. 

On July 26, Artur Sargsyan had broken through a police wall with a vehicle loaded with food, and delivered food to the members of this armed group.