Armenian Ombudsman asks police not to interfere with coverage of situation with rebels

The Armenian Ombudsman has condemned the actions of the policemen, who used violence against journalists covering the situation with the seizure of the police building in Yerevan. This was announced by the Ombudsman's Office.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 17, members of the opposition movement "Constituent Parliament" seized the building of the patrol-and-post service (PPS) police regiment and still hold it. By July 23, the rebels have released all the policemen held hostage. Tonight, in Khorenatsi Street, adjacent to the seized building, up to 30 supporters of the rebels were brought to the police station.

The Armenian Ombudsman "strongly condemns the obstruction of the activities of the media and the use of violence by policemen against journalists," reports a staff member of the Ombudsman's Office.

He has also noted that in the period of July 17-22, the Ombudsman's Office received 114 complaints about the detention of citizens, the use of violence against them, the seizure of personal belongings, obstruction of the activities of advocates, etc.

At the basis of the complaints, which may become the grounds for institution of criminal cases, the Ombudsman's Office has sent appeals to the Armenian Prosecutor's Office and the Special Investigating Service.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.