Gunmen storm police headquarters taking several hostage while social media goes down in country bordering Turkey
There are fears Police Deputy Chief Valeri Osipyan, who entered to negotiate, is being held hostage
GUNMEN have stormed police headquarters in Armenia - taking seven people hostage - as they call for the release of "political prisoners".
They have released a video on Facebook demanding opposition leader Jirair Sefilian and others be freed.
Armenian police create a human barricade as ongoing siege continues
The political group, named as Sasna Dzer/Daredevils of Sasun, drove a vehicle through the police station's door in the country's capital of Yerevan at around 5am this morning.
They are said to have taken seven hostages - including police chief Valery Osipyan who was attempting to negotiate with the group.
One person is believed to have been killed in the attack, and several others wounded.
The armed men are now calling on the resignation of President Serzh Sargsyan - and urging Armenians to take to the streets in support of their cause.
Mr Sefilian was criticial of the President's handling of conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
CivilNet.TV reports that members and sympathisers of Jirar Sefilian's Founding Parliament Party are "being arrested without grounds throughout country".
"Dear friends, citizens, Armenian nation, it has begun, we are doing this for you... Go out to the streets!"
Armenian opposition figure Jirair Sefilyan was detained on June 20 after authorities allegedly uncovered a plot to seize several buildings and telecommunication facilities in Yerevan, .
Armenia's National Security Service issued a statement confirming that negotiations are underway with the armed men.
The denied rumours of an "uprising".
The statement said: "This morning a group of armed individuals entered the police patrol service regiment area and is keeping the personnel hostage under the threat of violence.
"At the same time, their supporters are spreading misinformation on mass media and social networks about an armed rebellion and about buildings being taken over.
"The national Security Service officially declares that the information disseminated is not correct."
Social media is apparently down in the country which borders Turkey where there was an attempted coup on Friday night.
Snipers have been seen gathering near the building, while negotiations are underway for the gunmens' "peaceful surrender".
The statement added: "We assure you that this and any other illegal activity will be curbed by the law enforcement agencies and their perpetrators will be neutralised and punished by law."
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