Vaghinak Martirosyan, the head of the Internal Security and Anti-corruption Department of the RA Ministry of Internal Affairs, went out to meet Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan who was demanding a meeting with the minister.
Martirosyan noted that all police officers who broke the law have been punished and will be punished, and urged the protesters not to target police officers. In response, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan said:
“Please don’t say that we are targeting the police; the boys themselves will testify that we always approach them, wish them good service, and thank them. They will testify, especially the guys standing in the front row, that we have not targeted them. But it’s not them who act; there is someone who gives them orders. Can they act on their own?” the Holy Father said.
Martirosyan countered this statement made by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, noting that the police maintain public order.
“If they commit an illegal act while keeping public order, an official investigation is carried out with that regard,” Martirosyan noted
In response to the questions of protesters and journalists whether actions of 30 people beating one person and not allowing the Supreme Patriarch to enter Sardarapat are considered preservation of public order, Martirosyan said that he has no authority to answer such questions and that on that matter they need to apply in writing to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
