YEREVAN. - The participants of the march in memory of “Food Provider”Artur Sargsyan have broken through the police line and sat on the “carpet” of the Republic Square.

(PHOTOS)

At the moment, several dozens of participants have sat down on the square’s “carpet,” Armenian News – NEWS.am correspondent reports.

The police are trying to remove them from there but the activists don’t give up.  The traffic of Tigran Mets Avenue has been blocked.

Afterwards, Assistant to Prime Minister, Hayk Zohrabyan, approached the protestors. Talking to him, activist Shahen Harutyunyan demanded that the Food Provider be buried in Yerablur Pantheon. The assistant noted that he is not authorized to make such a decision but can submit the demand letter to the Government and respond within a day.

Shahen Harutyunyan noted that a similar application has already been denied, to which the Government representative stated that there has been no such decision.

The Government building is surrounded by large police forces, task force police officers armed with helmets and special means also being among them.

A criminal case has been launched Friday into the death of “Food Provider” Artur Sargsyan. The case is opened pursuant to the Criminal Code article on “those providing medical assistance and services not fulfilling—or improperly fulfilling—their professional duties, and which has negligently caused the death of the patient being treated.” 

Artur Sargsyan, a.k.a. the Food Provider, died Thursday at “Armenia” Medical Center, in capital city of Yerevan

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 hospitalized.

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

But his health grew worse on Wednesday evening, and he was rushed 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. Sargsyan, 48, was a sculptor and a wood engraver.