Tensions Rise in Tavush as Police Use Brute Force Against Protesters, Arresting Suren Petrosyan and Physically Injuring Mihran Makhsudyan

On the eve of April 23, the atmosphere in the Tavush province of Armenia became increasingly tense, with a significant presence of police forces in the area. The situation escalated as police, identified by their distinctive red berets, used force to open a road leading to the Bagratashen checkpoint, leading to the detention of multiple citizens.

Residents of border villages in the area had closed off the road in protest against the ongoing demarcation process, which will result in the ceding of Armenian territories to Azerbaijan. The protests, which had been ongoing, intensified as tensions mounted. Attempts to open the road were met with resistance from protesters, leading to clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators.

Reports indicate that over 20 citizens were detained by the police from the section of the road leading to the Bagratashen checkpoint from Ayrum. Among those detained was political scientist Suren Petrosyan, who is currently being held at the Noyemberyan police department. Additionally, reserve colonel Mihran Makhsudyan was reportedly subjected to violent beatings before being transferred to a hospital from the police department.

Furthermore, there were reports of police attempting to detain Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the leader of the Diocese of Tavush, though they did not detain him however he says he was physically pushed to move from the area.

Among the individuals arrested during the altercation were prominent figures such as Suren Petrosyan, Mihran Makhsudyan, Vahagn Makhsudyan, Mikayel Martirosyan, Edmon Ghulijanyan, Shaliko Yeghiazaryan, Levon Grigoryan, and Yeghishe Makhsudyan.