British Embassy in Yerevan concerned about reports on use of force against journalists

The British Embassy in Armenia has issued a statement regarding June 22-23 protests in ‪Yerevan:

A protest managed well by demonstrators and police over the past few days ended in violence this morning, with many arrests, including of journalists, and some injuries.

Many will have questions about how this could have been avoided. We are particularly concerned about reports on the use of force against journalists and the deliberate destruction or confiscation of their equipment; the widespread reports of men in plainclothes acting together with the police; and reports of excessive use of force against people who were not resisting arrest.

We call on the authorities to look urgently at these cases and take appropriate action, in accordance with the law.