GYUMRI (Armenpress)—On Jan. 16, the Governor of Shirak Province Felix Tsolakian addressed the citizens of Gyurmri with a call to be vigilant, tolerant and level-headed.
“The first working day of the year began with a horrible, surprising and very brutal crime,” Tsolakian said in his statement. “An animal-like criminal [murdered] an entire family in Gyumri. We started asking “why?”, “how?” and “where?” Afterwards, citizens of Gyumri organized peaceful demonstrations.
“Yes, we share the view that the criminal must have the most severe punishment, and that was the demand of the demonstrators. There was a point where the citizens’ demands led to clashes between the police and the demonstrators. Unfortunately, there are 28 injured. This is already a disturbance of social order. I understand people’s emotions, but I think it’s wrong to give in to only emotions. All issues can be solved with judgment and in tranquility. I call on all of us to be tolerant, patient, persistent and in solidarity,” Tsolakian said.