Two journalists with state-owned Armenia TV were hit by individuals in civilian dress who also smashed their camera and microphone. Several journalists had to be hospitalized with burns and other injuries.
“Clearly identified journalists carrying cameras were deliberately targeted,” said Johann Bihr, the head of RSF’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk.
“Some continued to be beaten after promising to stop filming. Such behaviour must be punished so that it does not recur. We urge the authorities to end the impunity for police violence against journalists and to give the police clear instructions not to do it again.”
The police have promised to conduct an investigation in order to shed light on what happened. Last year, 21 journalists were the victims of abuses in similar circumstances but only one investigation was carried out into all the various individual cases and no one was ever charged. Incidents of this kind often recur in Armenia.
More about:
