U.S. embassy urges Yerevan to probe reports on excessive police violence in dispersing demonstrators
YEREVAN. June 23 (Interfax) - The U.S. Embassy to Armenia is concerned about reports that police used violence against people protesting against growing prices for electricity and against journalists covering the protests.
"We are concerned about reports of excessive police use of force to disperse the crowd on the morning of June 23, as well as several reports of abuse while in police custody. In addition, we are troubled by reports that journalists and their equipment were specifically targeted during the operation," the embassy said in a statement.
"It is imperative that the Government conduct a full and transparent investigation of reports of the excessive use of force by the police to the full extent of Armenian law," it said.
The U.S. was "encouraged by the responsible and generally respectful behavior by both protestors and police," the statement says.
"Freedom of speech and assembly are fundamental rights in any democracy, and we were pleased to see both sides work in a manner that respected these rights and did not escalate tensions," the embassy said.
Armenian police detained 237 people in dispersing demonstrators protesting in central Yerevan against growing prices for electricity on the evening of June 22. According to police reports, 7 protesters and 11 law enforcement officials were injured in the clashes. The Armenian Health Ministry said, however, that 25 people asked for medical help.
