On June 20, at about 17.00 by the Freedom Square in Yerevan a conflict between
a representative of law enforcement body and free-lance photo journalist Gagik
Shamshian occurred. According to Gagik Shamshian, he was shooting the police
officers as they were taking shields, helmets, rubber batons and other special
equipment out of the cars, when the head of police of Kanaker-Zeytun community
of Yerevan Gagik Vardanian came up to him, started abusing and beating him.
Gagik Shamshian said the violence against him stopped only after another law
enforcer intervened. He also told that on the same day, a bit later, he came
across Gagik Vardanian again at the opposition rally by Matenadaran (ancient
manuscript storage) and the police officer attempted to continue “the conversation”.
Yet he was stopped by the rally participants and other journalists.
