Reporters Without Borders is very concerned about the police violence against journalists in Armenia.

In the statement issued on Thursday, the organization said police used violence against journalists who were waiting with around 60 other people outside a police station in the Yerevan district of Kentron on 23 June for the release of protesters arrested earlier in the day.

Journalist Ani Gervorgyan was slapped by a policeman she recognized as the one who had tried to confiscate her camera on 12 February. Another journalist, Arpi Makhsudyan, was hit while filming with her mobile phone and was forced to stop. Gala TV cameraman Paylak Fahradyan was physically attacked and his laptop was smashed.

“We firmly condemn the police violence against journalists who were just doing their job in a law-abiding manner,” said Johann Bihr, the head of the Reporters Without Borders Eastern Europe and Central Asia Desk.

“The actions of the police must not be unpunished or else their violent behaviour will recur and could become the norm. The policemen who attacked the journalists must be brought to justice.”

A total of 27 people were arrested earlier in the day when police used violence to disperse a demonstration outside the Public Services Regulation Commission.

The activists were protecting against increase in electricity prices.