20.08.2008 - Source: Armenialiberty

President Sarkisian orders investigation of attack on RFE/RL journalist ("Sarkisian Orders Probe Into RFE/RL Journalist’s Beating") [ID 25029]

Document(s): Open document

20.08.2008 - Source: Armenialiberty

RFE/RL chief attacked in what appears to be a politically motivated act of violence ("RFE/RL Bureau Chief Attacked in Armenian Capital") [ID 25030]

Document(s): Open document

19.08.2008 - Source: Armenialiberty

2 Polish journalists covering war in Georgia allegedly barred from entering Armenia because of being blacklisted by Russia; Armenia denies event ("Armenia Denies Banning ‘Anti-Russian’ Journalists") [ID 24384]

Document(s): Open document

18.08.2008 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

2 Polish journalists denied entry to Armenia in past 6 days ("Two Polish journalists denied entry to Armenia in past six days") [ID 24386]

Document(s): Open document

12.08.2008 - Source: Armenialiberty

Dissident journalists hold government responsible for beating of female correspondent of opposition newspaper ("Opposition Blames Government For Journalist’s Beating") [ID 24385]

Document(s): Open document

02.07.2008 - Source: Freedom House

Members of the press continued to face physical violence in 2007 ("Freedom in the World 2008") [ID 24547]

"In July 2007, the parliament sought to pass a law that would have banned broadcasts of foreign programming on state-run public television and radio; Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was the only foreign broadcaster on public airwaves. The bill would have also forced private broadcasters to pay a fee for the airing of foreign-produced material. The measure was defeated, due in part to considerable international and domestic opposition. Meanwhile, members of the press continued to face physical violence in 2007. In September, opposition journalist Havannes Galadjian, editor of the newspaper Iskakan Iravunk, was beaten by unknown assailants in his office in Yerevan. The authorities do not interfere with internet access."

Document(s): Open document

26.06.2008 - Source: Armenialiberty

Council of Europe grants Armenian government 6 more months to restore civil liberties; rapporteur concerned about continuing arrests of journalists ("Yerevan Gets Council Of Europe Reprieve") [ID 23845]

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Editor of the opposition newspaper Yerevan Zhamanak, who was arrested and charged with document forgery and evasion of military service, remained in prison ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23018]

"Arman Babajanian, the editor of the opposition newspaper Yerevan Zhamanak, who was arrested in June 2006 and charged with document forgery and evasion of military service, remained in prison. He was convicted in September 2006. Babajanian admitted his guilt, but his four-year sentence was widely considered harsher than normal in such incidents, and some observers charged that he was the victim of selective enforcement. On January 12, an appeals court upheld his guilty verdict but shortened his sentence by six months. During the year the court twice rejected his appeals for release on parole in August and December."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Police filed criminal charges against two opposition editors ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23113]

"On October 30, police filed criminal charges against two opposition editors, Nikol Pashinyan of Haykakan Zhamanak and Shogher Matevosyan of Chorrord Ishkhanutyun, both of whom participated in an opposition march on October 23 that was broken up by riot police. The charges included "hooliganism committed by a group" and "violence against a representative of the authorities." By year's end the case against the editors was still pending."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Yerevan: Court convicted journalist Gagik Shamshian of fraud and embezzlement ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23124]

"In June a Yerevan court convicted journalist Gagik Shamshian of fraud and embezzlement, and sentenced him to a suspended 30-month prison term with a two-year probation period. The court also ordered him to pay $580 (200,000 drams) to a private plaintiff. This followed a 2006 incident in which Shamshian went public with allegations directed at a local political leader's family, which he later retracted after being physically assaulted."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Police assaulted journalists during the year ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23125]

"Police assaulted journalists during the year. On May 9, while dispersing a preelection rally organized by the Impeachment Bloc, a grouping of several opposition parties, police officers assaulted two reporters, Tsovinar Nazarian from Hayastani Hanrapetutiun, and Gagik Shamshian, a freelance journalist who worked for opposition papers. Police attempted to confiscate Shamshian's camera but were prevented from doing so by rally participants. The police used tear gas on Nazarian as she attempted to film the police activities.
On October 25, Gohar Veziryan, a female journalist from Chorrord Ishkhanutyun was reportedly hospitalized with a concussion suffered during the break-up of a march on October 23, where police had used tear gas and batons."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Unidentified perpetrators harassed and intimidated journalists during the year ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23126]

"Unidentified perpetrators also harassed and intimidated journalists during the year.
In January unidentified arsonists set fire to the car of Suren Baghdasaryan, the editor of the weekly Football Plus. A similar arson attempt occurred in February 2006 after Baghdasaryan commented on an Armenian team's failure to play against an Azerbaijani team. Police promptly launched an investigation; however, the arsonists had not been found by year's end.
On February 8, unidentified arsonists set fire to the car of Ara Saghatelyan, director of the Panorama.am internet news portal and editor of the privately owned Im Iravunk weekly. A police investigation was ongoing at year's end.
On September 15, two unidentified assailants attacked and beat with metal bars Hovhannes Galajyan, the editor in chief of the opposition Iskakan Iravunk newspaper; Galajyan was hospitalized from his injuries. The Prosecutor General's Office promptly launched an investigation, but there were no new developments by year's end. Galajyan had suffered a similar such attack in September 2006, but investigators never identified or apprehended the perpetrators."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Arman Babajanian, the editor of the opposition newspaper Yerevan Zhamanak, remained in prison ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23127]

"Arman Babajanian, the editor of the opposition newspaper Yerevan Zhamanak, who was convicted in September 2006 of document forgery and evasion of military service, remained in prison. Babajanian admitted his guilt, but his four-year sentence was widely considered harsher than normal in such incidents, and some observers charged that he was the victim of selective enforcement. On January 12, an appeals court upheld his guilty verdict but shortened his sentence by six months. During the year, the court twice rejected his appeals for release on parole in August and December."

Document(s): Open document

31.10.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Editors of opposition newspapers and three oppositional activists are formally charged with hooliganism or assaulting police; the five were detained by police while marching through streets in attempt to inform passers-by about political rally ("Police charge five in connection with Yerevan Francas") [ID 21513]

Document(s): Open document

30.10.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Police charged two newspaper editors and three other opposition activists who were detained last week while urging Yerevan residents to attend former President Levon Ter-Petrosian’s landmark rally ("Police Press Charges Against Ter-Petrosian Supporters") [ID 21511]

Document(s): Open document

30.10.2007 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Two newspaper editors to be prosecuted for disturbing the peace at opposition rally ("Two newspaper editors to be prosecuted for disturbing the peace") [ID 21512]

Document(s): Open document

17.09.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Opposition editor Galajian of the newspaper Iskakan Irawunk beaten up the second time within one year; victim suspects leader of a small opposition party, Khachatrian, of ordering the attack; Khachatrian denies any involvement ("Opposition Editor Again Beaten Up") [ID 21538]

Document(s): Open document

17.09.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Opposition journalist Galadjian beaten up by two unidentified assailants in his office in Yerevan ("Armenian Opposition Journalist Beaten") [ID 21539]

Document(s): Open document

03.08.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Head of state commission empowered to parole convicts in Armenia denies any political motives behind refusal to free Arman Babajanian, imprisoned editor of pro-opposition newspaper ("Official Denies Political Reasons For Keeping Editor In Jail") [ID 21052]

Document(s): Open document

02.08.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Arman Babadjanian, editor of opposition newspaper, accuses president of being "personally responsible" for the rejection of his parole appeal; in 2006, he was sentenced to a 4 years prison term for evading compulsory two-year military service ("Jailed editor blames president for parole rejection") [ID 21058]

Document(s): Open document

23.07.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Editor of pro-opposition newspaper serving prison sentence for draft evasion has suspended hunger strike which he began after being denied early release from jail ("Jailed editor 'suspends' hunger strike") [ID 21057]

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Incidents of intimidation and harassment against independent journalists, including two assaults, death threats and the stoning of personal property ("Annual Report 2007") [ID 20385]

"Human rights activists and the Ombudsperson's Office expressed concern over incidents of intimidation and harassment against independent journalists, including two assaults, death threats and the stoning of personal property.
On 6 September, Hovannes Galajian of the Iravunk newspaper was beaten by two unidentified men outside his home. The attack followed the publication of a number of articles criticizing prominent officials.
In July the network of independent journalists Hetq Online received threats of reprisals, including death threats, if its journalists continued to publish articles concerning the illegal acquisition of land for redevelopment."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Editor of opposition newspaper arrested and charged with document forgery and evasion of military service ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20203]

"Armen Babajanian, the editor of the opposition newspaper Yerevan Zhamanak, was arrested on June 26 and charged with document forgery and evasion of military service. He was convicted on September 8. Babajanian admitted his guilt, but his four‑year sentence was somewhat harsher than is customary, and some observers charged that he was the victim of selective enforcement.
Apart from this possible exception, there were no reports of political prisoners or detainees."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Unconfirmed reports of several incidents of harassment and intimidation of journalists that appeared to be related to their journalistic activities ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20208]

"There were unconfirmed reports of several incidents of harassment and intimidation of journalists that appeared to be related to their journalistic activities.
Independent investigative journalist Edik Baghdasarian reported that in July he began to receive e‑mail threats following the publication of two articles on his Web site criticizing a new political party.
Journalist Gagik Shamshian, who works for opposition‑owned Chorrord Ishkhanutiun newspaper, reported that a gang of men attacked him on July 11 after he publicly accused the local district prefect's father of threatening him. He had written an article saying that two men arrested on charges of bank robbery were relatives of the prefect. Shamshian claimed the prefect's brother was among his attackers. Shamshian said law enforcement officials harassed him after the attacks for refusing to retract his testimony against the prefect's brother. The local police told Shamshian they had received complaints detailing criminal activity on his part, which he denied. Several weeks later, he retracted the allegations. The criminal case against him went to court December 14, with no verdict by year's end. On July 20, an unknown person broke the windows of Chorrord Ishkhanutiun's office, poured gasoline on the windowsills, and set them on fire. Citing disillusionment with the country's law enforcement officers, Chorrord Ishkhanutiun did not ask for a police investigation. The editor said she wasn't sure of the motive behind the fire; however, others drew a connection between the incident and the paper's reporting on the district prefect.
On September 6, unknown persons assaulted Ovannes Galagzhyan, the editor‑in‑chief of the opposition‑sponsored newspaper Iravunk, in an attack he believed was related to political topics discussed in his newspaper."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Journalists continued to practice self censorship because of pressure from official sources and from economic self-interest ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20209]

"There was no official censorship, although journalists and opposition parties complained that the government put pressure on television stations not to grant air time to several out‑of‑favor politicians. Print and broadcast journalists continued to practice self‑censorship because of pressure from official sources and from economic self-interest."

Document(s): Open document

07.2006 - Source: Freedom House

Several acts of government-sanctioned violence against journalists in 2004 ("Countries at the Crossroads 2006") [ID 17793]

"Still, the year 2004 saw the worst-ever government-sanctioned violence against journalists. At least four were severely beaten by special police while covering the brutal break up of an antigovernment demonstration in Yerevan. The beatings were never investigated by law enforcement authorities. "The impunity surrounding these attacks made journalists more vulnerable," the New York - based Committee to Protect Journalists said in a subsequent report.5 In a separate incident, a photojournalist was assaulted by several men after photographing luxury villas belonging to senior government and law enforcement officials. Although one person was sentenced to six months imprisonment for the attack in October 2004, the bodyguard of a senior police officer, who reportedly provoked the assault, was not prosecuted."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Harassment of journalists remains a problem ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46111],  [ID 15745]

"Harassment of journalists remained a problem. There were unconfirmed reports of incidents of harassment and intimidation of journalists outside the capital.

In contrast with the previous year, there were no reports of police beating journalists. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted in a public document that one case involving possible violence against a reporter was under investigation, although at year's end the circumstances surrounding the case were unclear.

A man sentenced to six months' incarceration in October 2004 for assaulting a journalist seeking to photograph property owned by a member of parliament was immediately released from court custody and, by years end, had not served his sentence."

Document(s): Open document

25.05.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Police allegedly failed to intervene witnessing assaults on activists and journalists ("Annual Report 2005") [#32286],  [ID 3244]

"At an opposition rally on 5 April police reportedly refused to intervene when around two dozen men, described as athletically built with shaven heads, disrupted the event and attacked journalists, kicking and beating them and breaking their equipment. In June a Yerevan court ordered two men to pay a small fine for their part in the incident. Three men of a similar description allegedly assaulted and critically injured opposition politician Ashot Manucharian in Yerevan on 22 April. Police reportedly suspended the investigation into the assault in June after failing to identify the perpetrators. In September police questioned a man identified by Ashot Manucharian as one of the perpetrators. However, no charges were brought.

Human rights activist Mikael Danielyan was attacked outside his home by four unknown assailants on 30 March. He was reportedly punched in the head and kicked after he fell to the ground. He believed that the attack was related to his human rights work. President Kocharian reportedly ordered an investigation into the attack. However, the investigation failed to identify any perpetrators."

Document(s): Open document
Open document

14.03.2005 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Cases of attacks on journalists ("Attacks on the press in 2004") [#30137],  [ID 3247]

"On April 5, police stood by during an opposition rally while two dozen men attacked several journalists and cameramen. A Yerevan court convicted two men of the attack, fining them 100,000 drams (US$182) each for "deliberately damaging property," the journalists' cameras. Some victims and the opposition media claimed that the trial was merely a government attempt to create the appearance of accountability, the U.S. government–funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

During another opposition rally the next week, police destroyed the cameras of journalists from the Russian TV station Channel One and the daily Haykakan Zhamanak (Armenian Time). At least four journalists were injured when police officers used batons, stun grenades, and water jets to disperse several thousand demonstrators.

The impunity surrounding these attacks made journalists more vulnerable. In August, Mkhitar Khachatryan, a photojournalist with Fotolur news agency who was reporting on environmentally damaging housing construction in central Armenia, was beaten by an unidentified man who threatened him with death and forced him to hand over his photos. Khachatryan had been taking photos near the mansion of a former police chief.

Although a private citizen was sentenced in October to six months in prison for the assault, a security guard for the police chief who reportedly ordered the attack was neither detained nor charged, the Yerevan-based Association of Investigative Journalists in Armenia reported."

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Harassment of journalists problematic; several cases of interference with work of journalists ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29491],  [ID 3245]

"Harassment of journalists was a problem. At an April 5 opposition rally, men in civilian clothing smashed the video cameras of at least four journalists, assaulted several reporters, and destroyed filmed footage of the events. According to eyewitness accounts, police stood by and did not intervene to stop the attacks. On June 10, a court found two men guilty of the attack; each was ordered to pay a fine of $188 (100,000 Dram).

On April 13, police beat at least three journalists and destroyed or confiscated their video cameras after an opposition rally. The journalists maintained that they had identified themselves to police as working reporters.

On August 24, a journalist was assaulted after photographing a luxury villa owned by a Member of Parliament as part of a report he and a colleague were preparing. In October, a court of first instance sentenced a man to 6 months in jail for the assault.

There also were unconfirmed reports of incidents of harassment and intimidation of journalists outside the capital."

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Reports of incidents of harassment and intimidation of journalists ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29491],  [ID 3248]

"Harassment of journalists was a problem. At an April 5 opposition rally, men in civilian clothing smashed the video cameras of at least four journalists, assaulted several reporters, and destroyed filmed footage of the events. According to eyewitness accounts, police stood by and did not intervene to stop the attacks. On June 10, a court found two men guilty of the attack; each was ordered to pay a fine of $188 (100,000 Dram).

On April 13, police beat at least three journalists and destroyed or confiscated their video cameras after an opposition rally. The journalists maintained that they had identified themselves to police as working reporters.

On August 24, a journalist was assaulted after photographing a luxury villa owned by a Member of Parliament as part of a report he and a colleague were preparing. In October, a court of first instance sentenced a man to 6 months in jail for the assault.

There also were unconfirmed reports of incidents of harassment and intimidation of journalists outside the capital."

Document(s): Open document

26.08.2004 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Tsaghkadzor: photographer of the PhotoLur agency assaulted after taking photos of politicians' private holiday villas ("Photographer assaulted in the north of the country") [#25188],  [ID 3249]

Document(s): Open document

25.08.2004 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Tsakhkadzor: Photojournalist assaulted after photographing opulent homes of government officials ("Armenia: Photographer assaulted after") [#25111],  [ID 3250]

Document(s): Open document

13.04.2004 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Yerevan: journalists covering opposition rally attacked and some beaten by the police ("Armenia: Journalists beaten at an opposition rally") [#21283],  [ID 3251]

Document(s): Open document

08.04.2004 - Source: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

Yerevan: Head of OSCE Office in Yerevan condemned attacks on journalists during opposition rally on 5 April 2004 ("OSCE Office condemns violence against journalists in Armenia") [#49017],  [ID 3252]

Document(s): Open document

06.04.2004 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Yerevan: journalists covering opposition rally attacked by two dozen men, cameras of TV stations smashed, police stays passive ("Armenia: Journalists attacked at an opposition rally") [#21106],  [ID 3253]

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2004 - Source: Prima News

PRIMA News Agency’s correspondent Mikhail Danielyan beaten by unknown men ("PRIMA News Agency’s correspondent brutally beaten") [#20960],  [ID 3254]

Document(s): Open document

08.05.2003 - Source: International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

Prosecution of journalists during 2002 ("Human Rights in the OSCE Region: Armenia") [#12599],  [ID 3255]

"On September 10, a court in the city of Vedi (Ararat region) acquitted Djanik Adamyan and Emma Sahakyan of charges for "propagating libel" on the president of Armenia and "assistance to libel propagation," respectively. On July 12, Djanik Adamyan had posted 12 copies of self-composed poetry on buildings in Vedi in which he blamed the president for complicity in the terrorist act of October 27, 1999. Adamyan was held in pre-trial detention facility for two months and one week pending trial and Sahakyan was released but ordered not to leave the town. However, by law, libel cases could be initiated only on the basis of a complaint from the injured party, not by the prosecutor alone, as had happened in this case. The case was still pending as of early 2003.
On October 22, an unidentified individual threw an explosive at the Deputy Chief of the Caucasus Press Institute, Mark Grigoryan. Grigoryan suffered physical injuries. According to the police, Grigoryan was probably hit accidentally, but Grigoryan and his colleagues believed that the assault was linked to his professional activities. The prosecutor's Office of the Center and Norq-Marash District of Yerevan initiated criminal proceedings for attempted murder.
On December 16, a court sentenced the correspondent of the Turkish television Company NTV, Murad Bodjolyan to 10 years imprisonment with confiscation of his property for “treason to homeland” under article 59 of the Criminal Code. Bodjolyan was a former employee of the first presidential staff during the previous government and he had also worked for the Foreign Ministry. Bodjolyan was accused of transferring to Turkey information classified as state secrets but his defense proved that he had used information that had already been published by other media. The information was related to the political situation in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, the social and economic situation, the budget, human rights, Russian military bases, and the Kurdish community in Armenia. Even the Prosecutor Aram Amirdjanyan in his closing statement admitted that there was no evidence that Bodjolyan had divulged state secrets, but he said Bodjoyan should be imprisoned as a “dangerous criminal.”
The October 31 issue of the opposition periodical Aravot was confiscated. It was taken from the printers by the distribution agency Haymamul, but the newspaper never reached the news stands. Haymamul refused to reveal who had ordered the withdrawal of the whole print. According to the Editor-in- Chief of Aravot, Aram Abrahamjan, two articles of the issue could have irritated the authorities; one was on a treason lawsuit against Murad Bodjolyan (see above), the other on abuse in the privatization process by close relatives of Prime Minister Andranik Markarian."

Document(s): Open document

02.05.2003 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Mher Galechian of the twice-weekly opposition newspaper Chorrord Ishxanutiun badly beaten by two men ("Alarm sounded about increasingly frequent physical attacks against journalists") [#12349],  [ID 3256]

"Reporters Without Borders today voiced alarm about the increasingly frequent use of violence against journalists in Armenia, in which the latest victim, Mher Galechian of the twice-weekly opposition newspaper Chorrord Ishxanutiun, was badly beaten by two men on the afternoon of 29 April. He was hospitalised with head injuries but was not in a critical condition.

The authorities say they are investigating the attack, which took place inside the newspaper's offices in Yerevan. The two assailants had visited the newspaper three days earlier to complain about a report in the previous day's issue accusing Karlos Petrosian, the head of the Armenian security services, of building a villa with funds of questionable origin. On the day they returned to beat up Galechian, the newspaper had just published a report mentioning their visit."

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Journalists continued to face criminal prosecution during 2002 ("Attacks on the press in 2002") [#11737],  [ID 3257]

"In the run-up to presidential elections scheduled for 2003, President Robert Kocharian, who is seeking another term, muzzled dissenting voices in the press and called for more compliant media coverage of government policies. As a result, journalists continued to face criminal prosecution, attacks, and censorship. Meanwhile, poor economic conditions drove some members of the press to ignore journalistic standards and sell their skills to the highest bidder—even if that meant being a mouthpiece for a powerful politician or businessman.

2002 began with controversy. On February 7, the executive branch approved and sent to Parliament a vague legislative proposal called the Law on Mass Information, which would increase state control of the media. Local journalists immediately decried the measure, which, among other things, would introduce licensing procedures and make it easier to suspend a publication. On March 1, several leading Armenian publications launched a protest against the proposal. By the end of the month, the Justice Ministry had submitted a revised draft law that remedied some of the more contentious points in the legislation. The wording remained vague, however, and protests against the draft law continued. At year’s end, the legislation was still being discussed."

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

Independent journalist Mark Grigorian attacked with handgranate by unknown persons ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11840],  [ID 3263]

"In October unknown persons threw a hand grenade at independent journalist Mark Grigorian, causing shrapnel damage to his legs and chest. No arrests had been made by year's end."

Document(s): Open document

04.03.2003 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Journalists targets of violence and obstruction during the first round of presidential election ("Presidential election : concern about violence against journalists") [#11225],  [ID 3258]

"Goar Vernizian, a correspondent of the weekly Aizhm, which is published by the Democratic National Union Party, was thrown against the wall of the Shirvanzade school polling station by unidentified individuals on 19 February as she was covering violations of the electoral rules. Her assailants also seized the audio cassette on which she was recording. Two journalists with the TV station Shant were hit and their video tapes were taken as they filmed a man stuffing ballots into a ballot-box in the same polling station."

Document(s): Open document

29.12.2002 - Source: New York Times

Chief of Armenia's main television channel killed by an unknown attacker ("TV Executive Is Assassinated in Armenia") [#10138],  [ID 3261]

Document(s): Open document
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24.10.2002 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Yerevan: Journalist Mark Grigorian, who was working on an article about an October 1999 attack on the parliament, injured in grenade attack ("Armenia: Prominent independent journalist injured in grenade attack") [#9282],  [ID 3262]

"Armenian free-lance journalist Mark Grigorian suffered serious shrapnel wounds to the head and chest from a grenade thrown at him as he walked through the center of the country's capital, Yerevan.

The grenade exploded at around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, as Grigorian walked past the entrance of the Yerevan Choreography School. He was taken to a hospital, where he underwent surgery to stop bleeding in his lungs, and is currently in stable condition.

Grigorian told Public Television of Armenia from his hospital bed that he saw "a young man running away" seconds after the grenade exploded. The journalist has been working on an article about an October 1999 attack on the Armenian Parliament that left eight high-level politicians, including the prime minister, dead, Agence France-Press reported.

Grigorian had recently interviewed several witnesses and politicians for the story, which he planned to publish on October 27, the third anniversary of the massacre, the U.S. government­funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported."

Document(s): Open document

10.2002 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

Cases of discrimination and prosecution of journalists between 2001 and mid-2002 ("Analysen und Hintergründe ") [#10328],  [ID 3264]

"– Anfang Mai 2001 wurde Frau Schorer Matewossjan, die Herausgeberin der kritischen Wochenzeitung "Tschorord Ischchanutjun", von der Militärstaatsanwaltschaft vorgeladen, die sie aufforderte, unter Verletzung des Informantenschutzes die Autoren eines kritischen Beitrages über den Anschlag auf das armenische Parlament vom 27. Oktober 1999 zu offenbaren. Als sich Frau Matewossjan weigerte, wurde ihr erklärt, dass sie allein für den Beitrag hafte. Später führten acht Beamte der Steuerpolizei im Büro der Redaktion eine Durchsuchung ohne gerichtliche Genehmigung durch. Das Ministerium für Staatseinkünfte erklärte, bei dieser Durchsuchung zahlreiche Unregelmässigkeiten in der Buchführung festgestellt zu haben und verlangte von der Agentur "Ogostos" ("August"), die "Tschorord Ischchanutjun" besitzt, die Zahlung von 16.000 EUR. "Ogostos" weigerte sich und erhob Klage wegen ungesetzlicher Durchsuchungen der Büroräume sowie der Unangemessenheit der Forderungen des Ministeriums, der am 4. Januar 2002 auch stattgegeben wurde. Allerdings hat die Behörde Berufung eingelegt.
– Am 26. Juni 2001 brannte die Werkstatt von Wahagn Rukasjan nieder, einem freiberuflichen Journalisten, der in einer Broschüre unter dem Titel "Die Version des Beobachters" Nairi Hunanjan mit dem Präsidenten der Republik, Robert Kotscharjan, dem damaligen Minister für Nationale Sicherheit sowie hochrangigen Beamten des Innenministeriums in Zusammenhang brachte; in zwei kritischen Beiträgen, die im Juni 2001 in der Zeitung "Hajkakan Schamanak" erschienen, veröffentlichte er Beweismaterial, das eine Beziehung Hunanjans zu einer bestimmten militärischen Unterabteilung des Ministeriums für Nationale Sicherheit erkennen liess. Vor dem Anschlag erhielt Herr Rukasjan einen anonymen Drohanruf. Nach Erscheinen seiner Broschüre wurde er von Beamten des Innenministeriums festgenommen und geschlagen.
– Der Journalist und Herausgeber des der gleichnamigen Partei "Nor Uri"26 ("Neuer Weg") gehörenden Organs, Tigran Hajrapetjan, starb am 9. März 1999 an den Folgen eines Verkehrsunfalls mit vermutetem politischem Hintergrund, nachdem er in Jerewan von einem Auto überfahren wurde. Hajrapetjan hatte 1998 den Wahlkampf für Aschot Blejan geleitet, den Vorsitzenden der Partei "Nor Uri" und ehemaliger Erziehungsminister in der Regierung Ter-Petrosjans. Von den 12 Kandidaten für die Präsidentschaftswahlen im März 1998 schnitt Blejan mit 0,11 Prozent der abgegebenen Stimmen als letzter ab. Im Oktober 2000 wurde Blejan nach einem am 10. Januar 2001 eröffneten Verfahren wegen Amtsmissbrauch und der Veruntreuung von 160.000 USD Staatseigentum, das für Schulbücher bestimmt war, zu einer Haftstrafe von neun Jahren verurteilt. Er bezeichnete die Anklage als politisch motiviert. Sein Anwalt warf den Ermittlungsbehörden körperliche Misshandlung während der Haft und besonders harte Haftbedingungen vor, die ein Schuldeingeständnis erzwingen sollten. Bei einem Berufungsverfahren wurde im Mai 2001 das Urteil auf fünf Jahre Haft gesenkt und einige zusätzliche Strafen wie die Beschlagnahmung der Hälfte von Blejans Vermögen sowie der Zahlung eines Bussgeldes fallengelassen. Im Juni 2001 wurde Blejan auf Anordnung von Präsident Kotscharjan begnadigt, nachdem er ein Drittel seiner Haftstrafe abgesessen hatte.
– Im April 2002 engagierte sich Blejan in der Angelegenheit der privaten Fernsehsender "A1 plus" sowie "Nojan Tapan", denen am 2. April 2002 bei der Ausschreibung der Verlängerung der Senderechte die dafür zuständige Nationale Kommission für Rundfunk und Fernsehen diese Rechte aberkannt und statt dessen die Frequenz 37 UHF dem unpolitischen kommerziellen Privatsender "Charme" zugesprochen hatte. In oppositionellen Kreisen wird geargwöhnt, dass die Entscheidung der Kommission von Präsident Kotscharjan beeinflusst wurde; Kotscharjan hat entsprechende Gerüchte öffentlich dementiert und sogar den Nutzen oppositioneller Sender wie "A1 plus" gewürdigt. Mehrere Oppositionsparteien riefen zu einer Demonstration sowie einem Sitzstreik zur Verteidigung der Meinungs- und Pressefreiheit auf."

Document(s): Open document

27.09.2002 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Abovian regional television station back on air following violent dispute with the local authorities ("Media Battle Ends") [#8843],  [ID 3265]

"The row started on August 24, when a group of men appeared in the station’s office and expressed their discontent with journalists’ work, particularly their reports on the subject of municipal improvements. The "guests" then beat up the channel’s founder Artashes Megrabian and its executive director Azniv Chizmechian, taking away videotape footage and a camera, which they returned an hour later. [...]
Several days later, Megrabian declared publicly that he had been presented with new threats and demands to broadcast only advertisements in support of the mayor of the city. Megrabian also went into hiding and, with its management absent, the station went off the air on September 6. Armenia's independent press, as well as many public organisations, link the incident with the upcoming local government elections in the republic on October 20. [...]
A wide range of diplomats, journalists and human rights activists intervened in the dispute and helped to bring it to an end. The station managers came back from their hiding places, and Abovian began broadcasting again on September 18. [...]
Commenting on the Abovian episode, Roy Reeve, head of the OSCE mission to Armenia, said, "The Armenian media is still having difficulties with freedom of speech.""

Document(s): Open document

08.2002 - Source: International Federation of Journalists

Report on press freedom (cases of attacks on journalists documented) and media laws ("Promoting independent and ethical Journalism in the Southern Caucasus") [#11296],  [ID 3266]

Document(s): Open document
02640.pdf

03.05.2002 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Annual report on press freedom and the situation of journalists in Armenia ("Armenia - Annual report 2002") [#6795],  [ID 3267]

Document(s): Open document

26.03.2002 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Dire economic conditions proved to be the greatest obstacle for the independent media in Armenia, where most people cannot afford to buy newspapers ("Attacks on the Press in 2001") [#6176],  [ID 3268]

"Widespread poverty, polarized politics, and flawed legislation kept the media at the mercy of government officials and wealthy sponsors during 2001. Libel remained a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment, though it was not used against journalists during the year.

Dire economic conditions proved to be the greatest obstacle for the independent media in Armenia, where most people cannot afford to buy newspapers. Readership and print runs remained miniscule, particularly outside the capital, Yerevan. Advertising also remained an insignificant source of revenue. As a result, journalists censored themselves and slanted their reporting in exchange for the financial support of wealthy patrons.

In this politically polarized country, President Robert Kocharian and his supporters retained control of leading media outlets, including state television—the only nationally broadcast channel. The president's political opponents control only a few publications. In addition, journalists continue to face significant security risks in covering the government's investigation into the October 1999 armed attack on the Parliament, which left eight high-level politicians, including the prime minister, dead."

Document(s): Open document

2001 - Source: International Press Institute

Report documenting press freedom violations from 1997 - 2000 ("2000 World Press Freedom Review") [#3282],  [ID 3269]

Document(s): 01729arm.htm
Open document