Armenian media demand to punish those who dispersed demonstrators

A demand to speed up the inquiry into the dispersal of protesters in Yerevan was made by nine media organizations in Armenia. Those responsible for the dispersal must be brought to justice, they insist.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that mass protests against the authorities' decision to increase electricity tariffs were held in Armenia since June 19. The most large-scale action was held in Bagramyan   Avenue in Yerevan, where at night on June 23 the police dispersed the protesters with the use of water cannons. In the morning on June 23 around 240 people were detained, including several journalists.

The statement released today was signed by officials of nine media organizations of Armenia – the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression, Yerevan Press Club, the Centre of Media Initiatives, Journalists' Club "Asparez", Club of Public Journalism, Institute of Comprehensive Information, organizations "Journalists for the Future" and "Journalists for Human Rights", and the Gori Press Club.

The statement recalls that six months have elapsed since the moment when "the police used disproportionate force against media professionals," and "prevented their professional activities in the course of covering protest actions."

However, as the signatories to the statement recall, so far, nobody has been brought to justice for dispersing the protesters by force.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.