Actions of "red berets" against citizens during acts of civil disobedience clearly punitive in nature - Arman Tatoyan 

ArmInfo. The actions of the "red berets" (special police forces - ed.) against citizens during the  civil disobedience actions on May 13 were clearly punitive in nature,  and most of them had nothing to do with legal norms, reads a  statement by the ex-Ombudsman of Armenia, human rights activist Arman  Tatoyan.

"How can one not take into account that having arrested family  members or relatives in front of children [for an alleged  administrative offense], the children will be left alone on the  street, not to mention the emotional distress?

It is unacceptable for the "red berets" to interfere with the professional activities of a journalist.

The use of force against a person who does not resist is unacceptable.

These are unacceptable, reprehensible actions that have no legal justification," Tatoyan noted.

Today the police use the same methods. It is more than obvious that  the order has been issued to harshly suppress acts of disobedience.  Moreover, the police use harsh, unprovoked force not only against  protesters, but also against journalists performing their  professional duty.

This morning, a police car hit Mediahub.am journalist Nare Gevorgyan  at a pedestrian crossing, crossing the street with her green light.  She is currently undergoing examination at the Nairi Medical Center;  she has a leg injury.

More than three dozen citizens have already been brought to police  stations. Among the detainees are minors. Many citizens were detained  from the sidewalks, which in itself is illegal.