Investigation conducted to identify those having hindered legal professional activity of journalists; one person involved as suspect
In the framework of the criminal cases investigated in the proceeding of the RA Investigative Committee active investigatory and other procedural actions are conducted to provide the comprehensive, objective investigation of the cases on hindrance to the legal professional activities of journalists while covering the protest actions. One person was involved as a suspect.
On April 21 the advocate submitted a report informing that on April 21 at about 15:00 while shooting and covering the protest actions on the road of Artashat town a person in civilian clothes used violence against the journalist of «Azatutyun» radio station Arus Hakobyan hindering her professional activity.
A criminal case was initiated in Ararat Regional Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee according to the Part 1 of the Article 164 of RA Criminal Code on hindering the legal professional activity of journalist Arus Hakobyan.
The journalist was found the injured party and questioned. A decision was made to commission forensic medical examination against her but the latter refused.
During the interrogation the injured gave testimony on the incident, she also gave information known to her about the identity of the person having committed the alleged crime. The latter was also questioned, confrontation was conducted. The person pointed out by the journalist was involved as a suspect and signature not to leave was chosen as a pretrial measure against him.
Necessary investigatory and procedural actions are conducted to verify the circumstances pointed out in the testimonies of the injured and the suspect. The relevant subdivision of the police was tasked to take measures to find eye-witnesses, to identify the police officers performing their duties at the mentioned place during the incident and to bring them for interrogation. Preliminary investigation is ongoing.
On April 19 a criminal case was initiated on hindrance to legal professional activity of the journalist of “Union of Informed Citizens” NGO Tirayr Muradyan preliminary investigation of which is conducted in the RA IC General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases.
Pursuant to data of the criminal case, on April 19 at about 08:30 in front of the third administrative building of the RA Government located in Aram’s Street of Yerevan journalist of “Union of Informed Citizens” NGO Tirayr Muradyan carried out his work as a journalist. While taking photos two people in civilian clothes assaulted him and used violence against him. The journalist with bodily injuries was taken to “Saint Gregory the Illuminator” medical center and got necessary medical assistance.
Journalist T. Muradyan was found the injured party and was questioned. Forensic medical examination was commissioned against him.
During interrogation the injured presented photos of two people in civilian clothes who used violence against him. The relevant subdivision of the police was tasked to take measures to identify those in the photos presented by Tirayr Muradyan and bring them to the investigative body providing the photos. Besides, it was tasked to find out whether there were cameras at the site, to identify the police officers performing their duties at the mentioned place. Preliminary investigation is ongoing.
