STATEMENT
Regarding the police violence against representatives of 1in.am and RA Police Chief’s insulting expression to the journalist
On April 22, on Baghramyan avenue in Yerevan the police again used violence and obstructed the legitimate professional activities of media representatives. This time Narek Barseghian and Sevak Soghomonian, 1in.am cameramen, covering the march of “We Are the Owners of Our Country” civic initiative to the Armenia President’s residence, became the target of attack.
As a result, the 1in.am video camera, the device for live stream and the editorial office’s cell phone were damaged. The police forced the cameramen into the police car, restricting their movement and obstructing their professional activities. And all this happened in spite of the fact that 1in.am journalists introduced themselves and showed their badges of office.
On April 24, in Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex journalists demanded clarifications from the RA Police Chief Vladimir Gasparian on the incident, saying that police do not change their style. First, the Police Chief countered, saying: “You are yellowing, you are fading…”. Then to 1in.am correspondent Siranuysh Papyan’s remark that we do not see police reforms, replied with words unbefitting a high-ranking official: “And I don’t see a woman in you…”.
We, the undersigned, express our resentment towards these incidents and demand from:
– RA Police Chief Vladimir Gasparian to take measures to pay damages caused to 1in.am, publicly apologize to journalist Siranuysh Papyan and henceforth not to use insulting expressions to journalists;
– RA Prosecutor’s Office to consider this statement as a report on crime and subject to liability the policemen, which abused their authority during the above-mentioned events.
COMMITTEE TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
YEREVAN PRESS CLUB
MEDIA INITIATIVES CENTER
“ASPAREZ” JOURNALISTS’ CLUB
MEDIA DIVERSITY INSTITUTE-ARMENIA
“JOURNALISTS FOR THE FUTURE” NGO
“JOURNALISTS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS” NGO
GORIS PRESS CLUB
