Epress.am News from Armenia
Beginning at 9 am on Feb. 8, about 250–300 police officers from the Gyumri city and Shirak marz (province) police divisions had gathered outside the square next to the bus station in Gyumri — the area where Shirak marz drivers of cars with Georgian plates were planning on beginning their march toward the Armenian town of Bavra, reports Asparez Journalists’ Club.
However, Gyumri police seized three of the vehicles with Georgian plates and towed them to RA Road Police Gyumri division impound yard. Drivers say that these vehicles were legally parked next to the sidewalk bordering the square.
Until 11:30 am this morning, Gyumri police, a number of which were armed with batons, blocked the square next to the station, not allowing cars to gather there. Instead, the square was full of police vehicles.
At 11:30, a few dozen drivers went to the RA Road Police Gyumri division in order to pick up their towed vehicles, while others went to Asparez Journalists’ Club for consultation. A few law enforcement officers drove to Gyumri’s northern gate and positioned themselves on the M1 highway, while others drove to the Asparez office.
“They literally surrounded the club and surrounding areas, about a 500m radius, blocking the free movement of vehicles. The siege took about 2 hours,” reads a statement issued by Asparez Journalists’ Club.
At around 1:30 pm, the RA Road Police Gyumri division permitted drivers to get their vehicles, albeit with a fine.
About 80 drivers with cars with Georgian plates are discussing their next steps at Asparez Journalists’ Club and waiting for the Heritage Party MPs, who’ve gone to Gyumri from Yerevan to meet with them.