The second quarter of 2022 saw a surge in the cases of physical violence against journalists and other media workers in Armenia, a new report of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression shows.

The CPFE recorded 11 cases involving 12 victims, 10 of which (11 victims) were registered during opposition protests in Yerevan and one in the National Assembly.

“It is worth noting that the number of such cases is 3 more than in the same period last year, when the country was in a hot post-war and pre-election political struggle, which, in turn, was accompanied by an increase in attacks on journalists and cameramen,” the report says.

During the period under review, 11 more cases of various kinds of pressure on the media and its representatives were identified. Eight new lawsuits were filed against journalists and media outlets, all based on insult and slander under Article 1087.1 of Armenia’s Civil Code. Half of them were brought by current and former officials.

Meanwhile, violations of the right to receive and disseminate information almost halved in April-June from the previous quarter. 24 such cases were registered, the CPFE said.