Armenian media organizations report 15 cases of attacks on journalists during referendum

Journalist organizations of Armenia have demanded to find and punish persons guilty of the use of violence against members of the media during the referendum on constitutional reform. According to the preliminary data of the above organizations, at least 15 journalists suffered.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 6, Armenia held voting at the referendum on the constitutional reform project. During the day, observers noted a low turnout, as well as violations committed at precincts. As at the time of the closure of the precincts, the voter turnout reached 50.51%.

On December 7, the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression (CPFE), the Centre for Media Initiatives, the Yerevan Press Club, the journalist club "Asparez", the Club of Public Journalism, the Centre for Freedom of Information, the Media Diversity Institute, the Goris Press Club, and the public organizations "Journalists for the Future" and "Journalists for Human Rights" disseminated the statement in connection with violations of journalists' rights committed in the course of the referendum held on December 6, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

"Unfortunately, the situation, which takes place during every election in the country, has repeated again: journalists were subjected to pressure again, since they are the people who can mix all the cards of the authorities seeking to secure a victory by acts of bribery and falsifications," the statement notes.

As the examples of the use of violence against journalists, the statement lists the incidents involving Raphael Afrikyan and Eduard Avetisyan, reporters of the "iLur.am" and the newspaper "Asparez". Besides, according to the statement, other 13 journalists also faced obstruction in their professional activities.

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