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Vova Gasparyan's Amazing Hobby
Over the past few months the chief of police Vladimir Gasparyan has
introduced a new practice in the police. The policemen take pictures
of participants of demonstrations one by one. Earlier photographing
was practiced as well but the police have replaced group photos with
portraits.
Yesterday, the policemen were taking pictures of participants of the
car march of I Am Against initiative protesting against the mandatory
funded pension. Photo shooting, according to activists, is followed by
telephone calls to and search in their houses. Quite many cases have
been reported so far.
Most probably, as the activists note, the purpose is to intimidate.
Experience shows, however, that these methods are not affecting
people. There are small but highly efficient groups of civic activists
who are aware of the power of law and their actions are literate and
determined. Intimidation is in the past.
The policemen explain the purpose of this `measure' by security. In
addition, they note generously that they are taking care about the
security of demonstrators, though so far threat to their security has
come from the policemen who often stood idle when some criminals
attacked activists.
In fact, Vova Gasparyan is creating a database of civic activists.
Perhaps, the government has run into some strange phenomenon when
there are no leaders with who they can agree or pray in church.
This is a complicated and somehow useful act because if individual
photographing continues, the chief of police will have a list of about
3 million people, i.e. the population of Armenia excluding the
criminal-oligarchic contingent of about 500,000.
Hence, the government will have 3 million portraits, which may help it
realize the consequence of its policy. Will they be able to look at
those pictures without remorse?
Haikazn Ghahriyan,Editor-in-Chief
15:06 18/01/2014
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/right/view/31746
Over the past few months the chief of police Vladimir Gasparyan has
introduced a new practice in the police. The policemen take pictures
of participants of demonstrations one by one. Earlier photographing
was practiced as well but the police have replaced group photos with
portraits.
Yesterday, the policemen were taking pictures of participants of the
car march of I Am Against initiative protesting against the mandatory
funded pension. Photo shooting, according to activists, is followed by
telephone calls to and search in their houses. Quite many cases have
been reported so far.
Most probably, as the activists note, the purpose is to intimidate.
Experience shows, however, that these methods are not affecting
people. There are small but highly efficient groups of civic activists
who are aware of the power of law and their actions are literate and
determined. Intimidation is in the past.
The policemen explain the purpose of this `measure' by security. In
addition, they note generously that they are taking care about the
security of demonstrators, though so far threat to their security has
come from the policemen who often stood idle when some criminals
attacked activists.
In fact, Vova Gasparyan is creating a database of civic activists.
Perhaps, the government has run into some strange phenomenon when
there are no leaders with who they can agree or pray in church.
This is a complicated and somehow useful act because if individual
photographing continues, the chief of police will have a list of about
3 million people, i.e. the population of Armenia excluding the
criminal-oligarchic contingent of about 500,000.
Hence, the government will have 3 million portraits, which may help it
realize the consequence of its policy. Will they be able to look at
those pictures without remorse?
Haikazn Ghahriyan,Editor-in-Chief
15:06 18/01/2014
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/right/view/31746