Security officers hit journalists photographing officials outside Armenia Marriott hotel (video)
Security officers of Armenia Marriott hotel today prevented two journalists from photographing Armenian lawmaker Samvel Alexanyan, Russian-based businessman, Tashir Group owner Samvel Karapetyan, former mayor of Yerevan Karen Karapetyan and Minister of Communication and Transport Gagik Beglaryan at the outdoor café of the hotel. Journalists Sisak Gabrielyan and Robert Ananyan, who work for Azatutyun.am and A1+ respectively, were trying to take photos of the group, when they were approached by security officers who said ‘it is a private area and they cannot take photos of people there.’ The journalists said in reply that ‘these people are public figures and the law allows photographing people in public spaces. This was followed by two of the security officers [whom we have been unable to identify] interfering with the work of journalists with harsh methods. One of the security officers twice hit Sisak Gabrielyan and cursed him. The other security officer hit A1+’s journalist in the hands, trying to seize his camera and demanding not to film his friend’s illegal actions. The journalists asked the police officers guarding the area to call the security officers to order but their request was left unattended.
