STATEMENT
Regarding the use of violence and obstruction of professional activities of journalists during dispersal of the protest against a hike in electricity tariffs
Joint statement of eight media NGOs (Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression, Yerevan Press Club, Media Initiatives Center, “Asparez” Journalists’ Club, Media Diversity Institute-Armenia, “Journalists for the Future”, “Journalists for Human Rights”, Goris Press Club) regarding the use of violence and obstruction of professional activities of journalists during dispersal of the protest against a hike in electricity tariffs, organized by “No To Plunder!” civic initiative. Protest started in downtown Yerevan (in Liberty square) on June 19. At about 6 o’clock in the morning of June 23 the police dispersed the sit-in of the protesters on Marshal Baghramyan Avenue, not far from RA presidential residence. Police used brutal force and water cannon against the protesters. 25 people were injured, 240 were forcibly taken to police stations. Violence was used also against media representatives who were covering the protest. In particular, law enforcement forces smashed filming equipment and erased the footages. Nevertheless, after the dispersal of the action, protest again resumed on Baghramyan Avenue.
