We will condemn any attempt to obstruct the professional activities of journalists. This is what Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan told journalists in parliament today, touching upon the fact that police used force against journalists in front of the National Security Service two days ago.

“I’m not aware of the details. To be honest, I haven’t even seen scenes of what reporters tell me. I heard news about journalists’ complaints, but I have also heard opinions that the police didn’t do anything in particular,” he said.

When told that police had seen that there were journalists there and had the relevant equipment, Mirzoyan said the following: “Perhaps police officers had warned journalists and asked them to leave the premises when they were taking interviews, or perhaps police had cited the ban on assembles during state of emergency. I really don’t know the details. If journalists’ professional activities have been obstructed in any way, I surely condemn that and believe there has to be an official investigation. However, journalists also need to understand that the laws and rules are universal, and this means everyone is equal before the law.”