23:58, 2 May 2022

In Yerevan, activists point to increased police aggression during dispersal of protest

The police during protests. Yerevan, May 1, 2022. Photo by Tigran Petrosyan for the "Caucasian Knot"

The Armenian opposition announced the unjustified use of force by the police during protests in Yerevan, and journalists also complained about the aggression of the police.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on April 28, human rights defenders said that the police in Armenia could not ensure the safety of residents during the protest actions and behaved unprofessionally. The human rights defenders also warned against police violence. Today, the opposition has resumed the protest actions in Yerevan by blocking more than a dozen streets. There were clashes with the police, and at least 189 people were detained.

On April 13, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not rule out the possibility of “lowering the bar” on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, referring to calls from the international community. His statement caused outrage in Armenia, which resulted in protests. Participants of the protest actions demand the resignation of Nikol Pashinyan.

Sarkis Ovannisyan, the head of the State Security Service, interfered with the work of journalists of the “MediaHub” who were filming on Bagramyan Avenue during the protest action. Sarkis Ovannisyan kicked a camera man, the “MediaHub” stated.

Activists from the “Union of Informed Citizens” also spoke about the disproportionate use of force by the police during the unblocking of the streets in Yerevan.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 2, 2022 at 12:17 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Armine Martirosyan

Source: CK correspondent