Situation explosive in Noratus; 20 fishermen arrested

The situation in the village of Noratus in Gegharkunik
Province has been tense since the night. Clashes broke out between the police
and fishermen. About two dozen residents of Noratus, including minors, have
been arrested.

“The situation in the village is now explosive. One cannot
leave the village; the red berets are in the village, going back and forth and
not allowing the villagers to leave. Those who try to leave, end up in the
police station,” a resident of Noratus, Bagrat Martirosyan, said in a
conversation with an ABC Media reporter.

As Martirosyan noted, yesterday the police chief approached
the fishermen of the village and insisted that they stop fishing.

“The villagers asked them to allow us to work until the 30th
day of the month; then we will leave. The police chief had also said he would
give us an answer by the evening. However, after he left, the police force
increased in the village. Red berets have arrived in about 15–16 buses, and
about 20 people have been arrested,” he said.

According to the resident of Noratus, the situation
continues to be tense; the police forces are still in the village, while the
residents still have no idea what to do next; they say they earn their daily
bread by fishing.