According to the publication of "Haykakan Zhamanak" newspaper on 12 May, journalist Anna Zakharyan has been subjected to violance in the evening of May 11. According to published information, marked ballots and election bribes were distributed to voters at the pre-election headquarter of a mayoral candidate on Kurghinyan street, and while videorecording it her phone was grabbed and its content was deleted, thus hindering her professional activities.
Obstruction of journalist's professional duties or violence against journalist is unacceptable. It is a criminal offense regardless of whether it is commited by a state authority or not.
The mayoral candidate of "Elq" aliance N. Pashinyan also spread information on election bribes and causing physical enjuries to his trusted representative and on breaking her phone at the same pre-election headquarter.
Based on this information a procedure on its own initiative has been started at the Human Rights Defender’s Office. The information was sent to RA General Prosecutor's Office to discuss initiation of criminal proceedings.