RA Police Chief disagrees with U.S. State Department and Human Rights Watch

PanARMENIAN.Net - In 2008, the RA Police worked hard to maintain public order, according to the RA Police Chief



"2008 was a year of tensions, yet police succeeded in increasing the rate of resolved crimes, with a special attention given to latent crimes," Major General Alik Sargsyan told a news conference today.



He went on to express disagreement with U.S. Department of State and Human Rights Watch reports which note the use of excessive force by the police on March 1, 2008.



"The police acted within the limits of law," Major General Sargsyan emphasized.



Dwelling on March events, he said that the police force became the victim itself because of lack of control over the situation.



"At that moment, police acted slowly, without using the entire potential. We ourselves are the victims of those events, we suffered losses too. I call on Armenian citizens to honor the memory of March 1 victims and not allow certain political forces to push them around," he said.



Asked about the opposition rally to be held on March 1, 2009, Major General Sargsyan said attempts to block streets and violate law and order will be prevented.