The leaders of the leading media of Armenia went to the rally against the beating of journalists

In Yerevan, on Wednesday, August 10, two people were arrested on suspicion of beating journalists during the dispersal of the demonstration on July 29, and the leaders of the Armenian media reached the rally "in the name of freedom of word" on Square Square and signed a joint statement to be held accountable for this and other cases of violence against journalists.

A group of leaders of the leading media demanded an immediate punishment of persons who impede the professional activities of journalists. 92 people signed under the statement submitted as part of this action, reports Aysor.am .

"We believe that the apologies that sounded in the speech of the President of Armenia Serge Sargsyan on August 1 are insufficient to implement safe and free journalistic activities. Practical and visible steps are needed," the journalists demanded.

“Although the current authorities do not miss the case that they recognize the importance of the press and freedom of speech, they actually do everything to interfere with the work of journalists. At the state level of the press, they are discredited for years, attempts are made to sow such distrust of the fourth power, which is already in the other three,” the statement quoted by Interfax quoted.

"On the protest of" Electric Yerevan "on June 23, 2015 (promotions with the requirements to cancel the increase in tariffs of the power company" Electric Networks of Armenia ". - Note Newsru.com ) Journalists were deliberately carried out, and so far no one was carried out. And after the events in July this year it was announced that two police officers were charged, there is no guarantee, there is no guarantee, there is no guarantee, there is no guarantee, there is no guarantee, there is no guarantee, there is no guarantee That all the perpetrators will suffer an adequate punishment.

The police reported on the punishment of police who exceeded the authority against journalists on July 23, 2015. Two police officers - a lieutenant colonel and the captain - were charged with abuse of authority from the police, the use of violence, abuse of official position, preventing journalists in the implementation of their professional activities, the intentionally destroy or damage someone else's property on July 23, 2015. The captain, who interfered with journalists, and the lieutenant colonel, who also damaged the equipment, was temporarily suspended from service in the police.

Today, the Special Investigation Service of the republic has extended the following statement: "As part of the criminal investigation in connection with the incident that occurred in the Sari area of ​​the city of Yerevan on July 29, 2016, today, on August 10, two citizens of Armenia were arrested on charges of obstructing the legal professional activities of journalists and group hooliganism."

According to News.am , the chief editors of the AZG, Aravot newspapers, newspapers and online publications “168 Zham”, “Zhamanak”, “Jokhovur”, “Ikakan Zhamanak”, “Graparak”, “Chorrd Ishkhanytyun”; agencies "Mediamax"; sites Yerkir.am, Hetq.am, Tert.am, A1Plus.am, Ilur.am; News Bloc of the Erkir Media television channel.

The editor -in -chief of the Aravot newspaper Aram Abramyan at the rally called on the Armenia police to study the facts of violence against journalists and punish those responsible. "We must see how the police are punished within the framework of the law, despite what they were - in police uniform or civilian clothes. Only after that we will think that something is moving forward in our country," he said.

At the rally, in addition to the leaders of the republican media, there is a head of the public relations and the media of the police of Armenia Ashot Agaronyan. "The disclosure of offenses is included in the police function. If there are such cases when violations are not disclosed, then this clearly affects the authority of our department," he said.

On July 17, in Yerevan, armed people seized the police building, demanding the resignation of the authorities and the liberation of the opposition representative Girard Sephilyan, arrested on June 20. A number of participants in the Karabakh war in the 1990s fought under the leadership of Sephilyan as part of the "Special Battalion of Shushi" and still call him the commander. During the attack, Colonel Arthur Vanoyan died, with various injuries six - five police officers and one of the attackers were hospitalized.

On July 29, the opposition rally in Yerevan grew into a procession to the captured territory of the police station, clashes occurred . A few hundred demonstrators during the procession broke through the cordon and approached the captured building. During the operation to accelerate the demonstrators, journalists of the Armenian service of the Freedom radio station were beaten. On the air of the radio station, they stated that they were beaten by people in civilian clothes with batons.

On Sunday evening, July 31, the armed group that seized the police building surrendered to the authorities.