Relatives of missing soldiers, military police clash outside Armenian Defense Ministry

Tensions flared outside the Armenian Defense Ministry on Monday as families of missing soldiers clashed with military police.

Relatives of soldiers who went missing during the 2020 war gathered outside the ministry, demanding answers and a meeting with officials. According to the families, Defense Ministry officials had promised to receive about 30 parents that day but ultimately refused to meet with them.

“This is just like during the war, when they abandoned everything and fled. Now they’re running away from the parents as well,” one relative said angrily.

The refusal fueled outrage among the protesters, leading to heightened tensions at the ministry entrance, where a large number of military police officers had been deployed.

“Bring back my child!” one parent was heard shouting.

In response, the ministry sealed off the entrance and a scuffle broke out between the protesters and military police officers. The confrontation prompted the arrival of additional police forces at the scene.