Tension Erupts Between Security Forces and Journalists

In the National Assembly earlier today, members of the Special Police Force forcefully seized a banner from protesting journalists. "Don't do this, there is freedom of speech in Armenia; this concerns our work, and we are not allowed to operate normally. You are displaying very poor behavior," stated journalist Hripsime Jebejyan.

They also mentioned that they are silently raising their voices so that the Prime Minister can see how journalists are being treated. "Let the Prime Minister see. Today our rights are being obstructed; tomorrow it will be yours that are obstructed," they added.

Ultimately, the Special Police Force members took the banner, promising to return it at the end of the day. "Registered journalists in the National Assembly do not have the right to hold demonstrations in the administrative building of the Assembly," one of the officers stated. The banner read: "Andranik Kocharyan, clean up your act."