In general, there are only 6 lawsuits filed against violence cases in Armenia. 4 lawsuits against violence cases terminated.
Last year, in Armenia, 25 incidents were recorded which designed to prevent journalists from carrying out their professional duties. Only 11 incidents were brought to court. Names of 19 persons were mentioned in those incidents.
Chairman of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech Ashot Melikyan said that the lawsuits are considered as imitations.
Media expert Lilit Hovhannisyan says that if there is an incident designed to prevent journalists from carrying out their professional duties, legal proceeding will not be taken against it or if a legal proceeding is taken, it will be terminated because it is not a criminal case.
19 journalists were subjected to physical abuse in Yerevan's Sari Tagh neighbourhood. Only 4 people, who broke the camera belonging to “Armenia” TV channel and attacked the cameraman, were jailed for a year.
“Armenia” TV channel belongs to the “Panarmenian” media holding which is owned by Sargsyan’s brother-in-law, Mikael Minasyan who is also an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Holy See (residence in the Vatican).
Rights of the injured journalists and others exposed to violence during the events happened in police station on 29 July, 2016 were not protected. In a year and a half, 4 condemnations were issued and perpetrators were fined with 50-200 drams. Police gave a conditional sentence to a person who beat the camera operator of “1in.am” website.
According to the information by the committee on “Freedom of Expression”, 27 journalists and an operator were exposed to violence during the July events. Robert Ananyan, who was injured by police said that only criminal case was opened on the events occurred in Sari Tagh in July.
The camera shot the scene of how the police got out of the car and attacked them. However, no criminal case was opened and possibly will not be opened.
“We will not see the punishment of the criminal police even in our dreams. Levon Yeranosyan who led the violence in Sari Tagh and in front of the presidential residence in 2015 is deputy head of the Armenian police. At the end of last year, Yeranosyan was awarded medals by the Armenian president. “
27 journalists were exposed to violence on duty in Armenia according to the information. 21 of them were recognized as sufferers. A criminal case of four people was filed and sent to the court.
According to expert Malikyan, video shootings exist on how the police went beyond his responsibilities and used special means of violence against journalists. Despite all, no measures are taken.
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