NGOs condemn obstruction of journalist's work in Yerevan court
A number of NGOs in Armenia have condemned the handling of A1+’s journalist and cameraman by judicial bailiffs. On September 1, the professional activity of A1+’s journalist Robert Ananyan and cameraman Bagrat Saroyan was hindered in a Yerevan court during the trial of Jirayr Sefilyan and others. When the two tried to film the crackdown on civil activist Vardges Gaspari who was staging a protest against public defenders, one of the court bailiffs shut the camera, thereby preventing the cameraman from shooting the incident, twisted the journalist’s hands and removed them from the courtroom. During public trials journalists are allowed to film everything with the exception of witnesses’ testimony. Thus, the bailiff has abused his authority. A1+ has been unable to identify the man, but his face is clearly seen in the video below. This is not the first case when courts in Armenia impose illegal restrictions on media representatives. Today’s incident is unacceptable also in the sense that the two men were covering a trial of public interest. Considering the aforesaid facts, we, the undersigned, demand that the Judicial Department identify the bailiff who has abused his powers and make him accountable Judge Tatevik Grigoryan call for proper conduct of judicial bailiffs and, taking into consideration public interest in the case, exclude unlawful actions against media representatives. Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression Yerevan Press Club Media Initiatives Center Asparez Journalists' Club Public Journalism Club Journalists for the Future NGO Journalists for Human Rights NGO, Armenia Goris Press Club
