Wales football fans angry after 32 arrested in Armenia
A group of supporters from Wales were detained in the city of Yerevan, which is the capital of Armenia.
Ahead of the European Championships qualifying game, more than 30 Wales football supporters were detained in Armenia.
There are approximately 1,200 fans who have gathered in Yerevan, the capital city, for the upcoming game on Saturday.
The FAW has announced that a total of 32 supporters have been taken into custody, and the Foreign Office has been notified.
Officials of South Wales Police who were in Yerevan stated that they have not taken any measures against the detained enthusiasts and are making efforts to understand the situation.
Lefi Gruffudd's supporter expressed his fury, stating that it came as a complete surprise when Lefi and his group of pals were detained after having a pleasant evening in the town.
According to another supporter, approximately 25 individuals were lined up against a wall and taunted with threats of receiving a half-year confinement.
Last night, while my two companions and I were returning to the hotel at a very late hour, we were approached by police vehicles. They apprehended us and detained us in their vehicles until this afternoon. We were finally released from custody at around 3.30 pm today, which is a Saturday. That is what Mr. Gruffudd reported.
in jail for attending a concert of the British singer Elton John. The police allegedly warned the fans about the potential legal consequences of attending the concert. However, no official statement has been made regarding the incident. This incident has sparked outrage among Elton John's fans, who claim that attending a concert should not be a cause for imprisonment. Some have even suggested boycotting the country. Overall, this situation highlights the importance of protecting citizens' rights to attend and enjoy cultural events without fear of legal repercussions.
They behaved rudely towards us by not providing water or a cell for the whole night. We were neglected and mistreated.
We got arrested but nobody told us why, despite our constant questioning. We're extremely frustrated and haven't been able to catch any sleep.
He expressed his disbelief, stating that the unexpected news came as a surprise since they had grown fond of the location.
Last night's bar experience was delightful. The ambiance was fantastic, and we enjoyed the people's company. However, we were all taken aback by a major surprise.
Lefi Gruffudd shared that he was having a pleasant experience staying in the urban area and everyone he encountered had been affable. However, the situation took a turn when someone was taken into custody.
He said, "They are saying that there was a fight among Welsh supporters, but we have no knowledge of it, and I am skeptical if that actually occurred. Nonetheless, that is the justification they are providing."
It is thought that a lot of people were apprehended on Friday and a few of them were set free before 3:00 PM in the area's time zone (11:00 AM Greenwich Mean Time) on Saturday, just before the start of the match scheduled for 6:00 PM.
"I must tell you the truth. I'm still a little annoyed about what occurred," expressed a different supporter, Gerallt Dafydd.
He went out with some friends and had a few alcoholic beverages at a bar.
While they were waiting for a taxi, he narrated how unexpectedly the police arrived, emphasizing their hostile behavior by saying "They appeared suddenly out of nowhere and treated us in a very rough manner, and all of us were put in handcuffs."
"They forcefully put us in the back of a police vehicle and even while inside, they were physically aggressive towards me, hitting me in the face and back while I was speaking. It was a disturbing experience."
Gerallt Dafydd expressed uncertainty regarding the cause of the apprehensions.
He talked about how around 25 supporters were lined up against a wall with the police "snapping pictures and chuckling and this seemed to be a recurring sight."
According to Mr Dafydd, fans became highly emotional when they thought officers were mocking them by claiming they would receive either a six week or six month sentence.
He firmly believed that supporters were innocent, and stated that they were provided with a statement that declared their blamelessness. He even mentioned that they were asked to sign it.
The FAW has released a message acknowledging the issue at hand and is keeping up frequent conversations with the police accompanying fans and FSA Cymru, who are keeping tabs on the situation.
FSA Cymru acts as the fan embassy and maintains communication with the concerned local authorities, including South Wales Police, to coordinate with the local law enforcement.
Supt Steve Rees from the South Wales Police, who is currently in Armenia, noted that there was an occurrence that took place in the early hours of Saturday in Yerevan, which led to the detention of 32 Welsh supporters.
We're collaborating with the fan embassy and the authorities in the area to investigate the incident and gather more information.
The behavior of Welsh supporters during their travels is typically well-regarded, making this incident highly unusual.
FAW indicated it is keeping an eye on the situation following the detention of the supporters.
A group of law enforcement officials from Wales will persist in being noticeable to the group of fans on the move for the duration of this match that takes place away, giving guidance and contributing to their security.
According to the statement by the Foreign Office, they are providing aid to the relatives of a group of Welsh football enthusiasts who are presently in Armenia. They are currently communicating with the native officials to ensure their safety.
There was a troubling incident that occurred after a female fan reported a distressing taxi ride on Friday. According to her report, the driver joined her in the backseat and propositioned her for "sexual favours" instead of accepting payment.
If Croatia is defeated by Latvia, Wales has a chance to qualify for Euro 2024 in Germany by winning against Armenia.
Nonetheless, if the team wins on Saturday and Tuesday against Turkey, they will secure their spot in the tournament without any need to worry about other outcomes.
