YEREVAN, JULY 3, ARMENPRESS: A criminal case was instituted on hindering journalists’ legal professional activities and using violence, exceeding official authorities. The Special Investigation Service told Armenpress that through the study of the reports published in the mass media, materials and video recordings, information was obtained that during the special measures, made to stop the rally, organized by the civil initiative “No To Plunder” against the electricity tariff increase in Baghramyan Avenue of Yerevan on June 23, as well as during the following days, people, implementing special state service, obviously coming beyond the scope of their powers, on Baghramyan Avenue, the Square of Liberty, nearby areas and in different departments of the Police of the Republic of Armenia, used violence against the participants of the rally and the journalists, covering the events, and caused physical injuries, damaged or destroyed the recording devices of the latter, thus hindering the journalists’ legal professional activities, causing substantial damage to the rights and legal interests of the people and organizations, as well as the society and the state.     

Based on the 2^nd parts of the articles 309 and 164 and the 1^stpart of the article 185 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, a criminal case was instituted at the Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Armenia on using violence, coming beyond the scope of powers, hindering the journalists’ legal professional activities, causing substantial damage to others’ property. Preliminary investigation is being carried out.