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Several journalism organizations, “Media and Right”, “Union of Journalists”, “Association of Free Reporters” among them, demand to investigate the cases of violence against journalists and hold offenders accountable.

The statement, released by the NGOs, refers to the reports disseminated by electronic media outlets about clashes between the riot police and protestors in Sari Tagh district of Yerevan on July 29, where number of journalists and operators were cracked down.

In particular, RFE/RL Armenian Service journalists Karen Aslanyan and Hovhannes Movsesyan were attacked by police officers, Civilnet reporters were injured from the explosives, journalist of “A1+” Robert Ananyan received burns, reporter of Panorama.am Hayk Grigoryan and operator of Lragir.am suffered from the explosives, operator of Lifenews received shrapnel wound in the leg.

Reporters of Armenia TV Aghvan Asoyan and operator Albert Galstyan were beaten up while covering the events in Sari Tagh.

The journalism organizations condemn the actions of the security agencies directed at the journalists and representatives of mass media, impeding their professional activities.

“We call for immediate investigation into the cases of violence against the journalists and hold the offenders accountable as envisaged by the RA Constitution,” reads the statement.

Journalism organizations next call on the RA Police to show respect to the institute of the Mass Media, the people’s right of access to information, avoid physical violence against media representatives as well as call on the international organization to focus on the vulnerability of the profession of a journalist in Armenia.

“What happened is unacceptable and contrary to the RA Constitution, norms envisaged by the RA Law as well as establishment of the democratic values of freedom of the press and the freedom of speech,” concludes the statement.