YEREVAN. – Volunteer soldier Artur Ayvazyan was taken to the Goris town police department where he was detained after Friday’s protest rally in Syunik Province. Zarzand Gabrielyan, head of the media relations department of Armenia’s police, on Saturday informed Armenian News-NEWS.am about this.

"After yesterday's protest, nine people were taken to the Goris Police Department, a criminal case was initiated under the [Criminal Code] article on hooliganism, one person was detained," the police said.

One of Ayvazyan's relatives told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the aforesaid protest took place near Tegh village, the roads leading to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) were closed off, and the purpose of this protest rally was for the Armenian authorities to provide weapons to volunteers in order to protect the borders of Syunik from Azerbaijani encroachments.

"In the morning, Artur Ayvazyan's lawyers wanted to see him, but were not allowed to, saying that the investigator was not there—which is illegal," he added.

Ayvazyan's lawyer will appeal his client’s detention.

The investigator has not yet submitted a petition to arrest Artur Ayvazyan.