The editors of a number of newspapers and online news sites in Armenia have signed a public statement condemning the government for taking measures to restrict the press and call on the authorities to take steps to assist the press in ensuring its freedom of activity.

The signatories (see below) point to the actions of the police on June 23 in Yerevan’s Baghramyan Avenue as the latest manifestation when law enforcement disrupted the professional activity of the press by using force against reporters and detaining some, by breaking their equipment, seizing memory sticks, etc.

The signatories claim that the police deliberately attempted to prevent the press from doing its job of covering the protest against the electricity rate hike.

The editors note that it took ten days for the Special Investigative Service to launch any criminal charges against cops who manhandled reporters.

The statement is signed by the editors of Aravot newspaper, Zhamanak newspaper and 1in.am, Zhoghovourd newspaper and ArmLur.am, Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper and Armtimes,com, 168 Zham newspaper and 168.am, Hraparak newspaper and Hraparak,am, and Chorrord Ishkhanutyun newspaper.