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Public figure Hovhannes Avetisyan, an expert in public finance management, accused the Armenian authorities of repression and crackdown on their critics using police.

Police officers detained Avetisyan and eight others on suspicion of illegally possessing weapons on Thursday to be released after midnight.

At a news conference on Saturday, Avetisyan denied any wrongdoing, stating that his “groundless” detention was aimed at intimidating and silencing him.

“I assure you that the police are being held hostage by those who deceived the Armenian people and usurped power under the guise of democracy,” he remarked.

“The ruling regime uses the police to extend its grip on power to the detriment of the Armenian people and to establish a dictatorship in Armenia instead of creating a safe environment and protecting the rights and freedoms of its citizens,” Avetisyan added.

He underscored that no illegal firearms or any other objects were found during the police raids at his house and car.