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“Everyone shall stand responsible for their actions and answer only before the law. Every attempt of personal vendetta shall be halted by the power of law”, - President Serzh Sargsyan said in a statement today on August 1, speaking in the aftermath of a standoff following the seizure of police station in Yerevan by an armed group “Daredevils of Sassoun”, which was resolved yesterday late in the evening with peaceful surrender of the gunmen.

President spoke to a gathering of a group of renowned artists, medical workers, media representatives, political and community leaders, members of the Public Council, as well as representatives of the government, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and the clergymen, and assured the government will learn all relevant lessons of the standoff and manage an effective transition from the crisis.

“[The crisis] has been resolved in a way that, perhaps, is acceptable to most”, - the President said, adding that the consistent and coordinated efforts of the relevant law enforcement agencies resulted in a peaceful surrender of the armed group.

“I am very glad that we managed to escape from the most classical resolution of such situations, which had been considered in every detail, too”, - Sargsyan said, thanking the law enforcement personnel for their devoted service to the nation and offering condolences to the families of slain police colonel Arthur Vanoyan and officer Yuri Tepanosyan, killed during the crisis.

The President also thanked all agencies, medical staff and other individuals involved in the peaceful resolution of the standoff, adding that the authorities have taken every measure to avoid human casualties.

“I also thank General Vitaliy Balasanyan, who became the symbol of common sense during these days”, - Sargsyan said, addressing the Karabakh War hero and member of National Assembly of Nagorno Karabakh Republic Vitaliy Balasanyan, who acted as a trusted mediator between the armed group and the law enforcement agencies during the standoff.

Speaking about the future steps, President said that every person shall be held responsible for their actions befor the law.

“First and foremost, a detailed investigation shall be carried out, a comprehensive and fair one, and transparent trial shall take place – based exclusively on laws and Constitution”, - President Sargsyan concluded.

“As a state, we walked out of this challenge even stronger. And now are are even more determined towards achieving positive changes in our country with redoubled pace”, - President concluded, promising to speak about the upcoming changes in more detail at an earliest opportunity.