Yesterday, on April 2, on the day of parliamentary elections, there were registered 2 cases of violence against journalists and 8 different cases of creating obstacles and repressions. According to the statement issued by media organizations, “on Rustaveli Street 15 in Yerevan's Kond district near the headquarters of the candidate Hakob Beglaryan from the Republican, the journalist from Radio Liberty  Sisak Gabrielian , the journalist from Araratnews.am  Shoghik Galstyan, and operator Hayk Petrosyan from the same agency were attacked. Moreover, at 9/29 polling station of the same district, the work of Armtimes.com journalist Tirayr Muradyan has been prevented. Near the headquarters of the same candidate in Noragyugh, the reporter  of Newsbook.am Armine Avetisyan  was attacked and threatened to be pierced with a spear

The reporter of Hetq Grisha Balasanyan, Tert.am reporter Ani Gevorgyan , the journalist of Radio Liberty Narine Ghalechyan, Armtimes.com correspondent Armen Kirakosyan, as well NEWS.am reporter Lusine Shahbazyan were subject to various obstacles and pressures in different polling stations.

We, the undersigned organizations, do take into consideration, that some of the incidents are being investigated by the law enforcement agencies. However, the measures do not inspire us much confidence, as they didn’t in previous years. Many cases, perpetrators were not found and brought to justice, while the criminal cases were suspended due to "lack of evidences".

In view of the above, we require:

- The police and the competent investigative authorities to  objectively examine the facts of the violence of the journalistic work and initiate criminal cases accordingly

- The Prosecutor's Office to supervise the work of revealing the cases, with an aimed to detect the culprits.

We will closely monitor the process. We will continue protecting the rights of affected journalists and informing the public about the new developments. "

The statement was signed by the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression, Yerevan Press Club, Media Initiatives Center (former "Internews"),  Asbarez club of journalists, Journalists for the Future NGO and others.