Protesters back hostage-takers in Armenia

The protesters gathered on Wednesday in front of a police station that had been overtaken by militants. Participants brought food for assailants inside the building and asked the police to bring it to them, which the officers refused.

Security forces then blocked the people from forcing their way into the building, leading to clashes. The police used tear gas, stun grenades and smoke grenades as protesters pelted them with stones. Gunfire was also heard, but there was no immediate information on the shooters' identity.

Dozens of people were arrested over the altercation.

Police said "many" officers were hurt in the violence. A number of demonstrators were also reported injured.

Later on Wednesday, protesters started using garbage containers and other objects to build barricades at the scene and called on other citizens to join in.

Militants hold general hostage

A group of gunmen has been holding at least four people hostage after seizing the police station on Sunday. The attackers killed one policeman and wounded four more during the raid.

A police general and a deputy head of Yerevan police are among the hostages.

The group's main demand is the release of opposition leader and former military commander Jirair Sefilian. They also called on the government to resign.

Sefilian has repeatedly accused the government of mishandling the conflict with Azerbaijan in the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region. He is a fierce critic of President Serzh Sarkisian and a leader of a small party named New Armenia Public Salvation Front.

In 2006, Sefilian was sentenced to 18 months in jail for calling for "a violent overthrow of the government."

He was jailed again in June after authorities charged him with illegal possession of weapons. Investigators claim his faction was planning to seize government buildings and communications facilities.