( RT ) - Troops and armored vehicles are now patrolling the main streets of Armenia's capital, Yerevan, following violent riots which claimed eight lives. More than 100 people were injured. A 20-day state of emergency has now been imposed.
Earlier in the day General Colonel Seyran Oganyan, a Chief of staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, addressed the nation with a call to observe the state of emergency.
"I discourage everybody from trying to bypass the restrictions imposed by the state of emergency. Please be disciplined and comply with the steps the army is taking to implement the state of emergency. Particularly I would like to ask people to refrain from gathering in Yerevan even in small groups. When even the slightest suspicion the army will take action against such groups as prescribed by the law and the constitution. The army will make sure the state of emergency rules are observed," proclaimed Seyran Oganyan.
The army is out in force throughout the center of Yerevan, there is really a reign of steel around the main square where the violence took place. There are thousands of men in uniform accompanied by IFVs.
Evidence of the destruction and carnage is clearly visible: there are burnt down cars across the roads through all the centre of Armenian capital.
The overall atmosphere is extremely nervous. All media have been closed and it's very difficult to get any information.