Narek Samsonyan, head of the Antifake news agency, was detained on July 8. “Media Advocate” initiative contacted Narek Samsonyan to find out the details of the incident. According to the founder of the “Antifake” news outlet, the police approached him at the moment he started smoking. “They were inciting provocation so that I would take illegal measures and they would get an opportunity to isolate me. “I think the police are doing a very disgraceful job, to which I hope, will be put an end soon.” The goal of this, according to the head of “Antifake”, is to isolate them. “When I took my mask of while smoking, they noticed that very well, then why did they try to make a protocol, being very well aware that I will not allow it?” The police extended the operation, putting the folder under the arm several times, then taking it out. Then suddenly a provocateur approaches me.” According to Samsonyan, if he had hit that provocateur, they would have had an appropriate opportunity to isolate him. “The police allowed the person who approached me to make indecent remarks regarding me.” Samsonyan notes that everyone has the right to express their opinion, and that no one should interfere.
“Media Advocate” initiative states that this incident is simply another violation of freedom of speech. According to the decision of the Commandant, the citizen can take off the mask for a while when eating and smoking.
Media Advocate” initiative urges the police not to target people with oppositional views, not to detain them by using inappropriate occasions. The police should not be used as a means of suppressing freedom of speech, on the contrary, the police, should be the number one defender of freedom of speech in the country.
