Incident of Obstructing Journalist's Legal Professional Activity During March in Yerevan: Criminal Proceedings Initiated

The Police of the Republic of Armenia has reported that on May 9, during a march organized by the initiative 'Tavush for the Homeland' in Yerevan towards Republic Square, participants obstructed a journalist's professional activity.

In particular, journalist Nane Israelian from the news website 'Khosqnak.am' and her operator were conducting an interview with Bagrat Galstanyan, who was leading the march, on Amiryan Street. During this time, supporters of Galstanyan seized the camera from the operator's hands and broke it, as well as obstructed Israelian's efforts to carry out her professional work.

Taking into account the reported incident, the characteristics of a criminal act obstructing the legal professional activity of a journalist have been identified. As a result, criminal proceedings have been initiated under part 1 of Article 237 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.

Measures are being taken to clarify the circumstances of the incident and to identify the individuals involved in the alleged criminal acts for submission to the prosecuting body.

Notice: A person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty according to the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia, based on a legally binding court ruling.