Karabakh war hero, MP Vitaly Balasanyan said the police will continue negotiations with the armed group despite the latter’s burning of a police vehicle.

The armed group that seized a patrol regiment in Yerevan burned a service vehicle and pulled it onto the street.

They are members of the Sasna Tsrer movement. One police officer was killed, and several more were wounded in a shootout that broke as the members of the group hit the gates of the police department with a track. All the captives have been set free. The group demand the release of Jirair Sefilian, the founder of the Founding Parliament who was arrested on June 20, as he and a group of people had allegedly planned to seize premises and communication facilities, including the Yerevan TV tower. They also demand the resignation of President Serzh Sargsyan and the creation of a transitional government.

The police called on the group to refrain from activities that could endanger the civilians’ lives and further escalate tensions.

Balasanyan said the authorities agreed to ignore the move to continue negotiations until the gunmen lay down arms.

The Karabakh MP was previously participating in negotiations but will no longer be involved in them.