The Armenian authorities must investigate thoroughly and without delay the brutal attack on two Armenian activists and to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice, Amnesty International said in a statement.

“The Armenian authorities have committed to ensure that activists can carry out their work without interference, obstacles, discrimination or fear of retaliation. To honour this commitment means only one thing in this particular case - that the attack on the two activists is investigated impartially and effectively and the perpetrators are found and brought to justice,” said Denis Krivosheev, Europe and Central Asia Deputy Programme director.

Suren Saghatelian and Haykak Arshamian were set upon by half a dozen men, in the courtyard of Haykak’s apartment building at around 10 pm on the night of 5 September.

Haykak Arshamian told Amnesty International he was convinced that they had been targeted in connection with their civil society activism. He described the attack as an “assault against civil society and independent media in Armenia”.

Neither Haykak or Suren are affiliated with any political party or organisation, but they had been actively involved in protests against the government’s recent decision to join the Eurasian Union.

“Civil society activists must be able to carry out their activities without interference, obstacles, discrimination or fear of retaliation. The authorities are obliged to promote the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association. Only an effective investigation will demonstrate that they take their human rights obligations seriously,” said Denis Krivosheev.