Shamshyan Issues Complaint about Verbal Assault

At 3:55 pm on March 19, well-known Armenian photojournalist Gagik Shamshyan informed the Yerevan’s central police station that he had been subjected to verbal assault at the Court of First Instance of Centre and Nork-Marash Communities in Yerevan.

It turned out that at 3:25 pm on the same day, before the court session began, Shamshyan had taken photos of the defendants when they were being brought to court. Bagrat Soghomonyan, one of defendants, had insulted Shamshyan, obstructing the photojournalist’s lawful work in the process. Shamshyan had tried to urge him to stop, but Artak Soghomonyan, another defendant, who was also in the room, got involved in the altercation, also insulting Shamshyan.

The police have registered Shamshyan’s case. An investigation is underway.