During a recent demonstration demanding the release of Armenian prisoners of war in front of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Moscow, there was a brawl between Ashot Sargsyan (one of the demonstrators) and Azerbaijanis, after which Sargsyan received injuries.

In an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am, Sargsyan said he and the other demonstrators had applied to receive permission to hold a massive picket in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, but due to the pandemic, they were rejected. There were not only Armenians, but also Russians among the participants of the demonstration.

Substituting each other, the demonstrators stood in front of the Embassy of Azerbaijan with a sign reading “Freedom To All Prisoners of War” and presented their demand. It was during Ashot Sargsyan’s speech when the dispute began and turned into a brawl.

“An Azerbaijani approached us and provoked, saying that we have to leave the premises and not demand anything. Everything happened very quickly. After a few seconds, more Azerbaijanis showed up, and later the officers of the Federal Troops Service of the National Guard came. I received injuries (my lower jaw is broken). I was transferred to a hospital. The surgery was successful. The surgeon was Ara Khandzratsyan, whom I am thankful to,” Sargsyan said, adding that he says the attack might have been organized.

Armenian lawyer Ruben Kirakosyan visited Sargsyan and offered his services. Kirakosyan is currently his attorney. Sargsyan said he doesn’t know how the law-enforcement authorities have processed the case.