The editors of the print and online media came up with the joint statement demanding the authorities to refrain from the restrictive measures against press and to take measures to ensure their independent activity. The statement reads:

“On 23 June, 2015 the police used force not only against peaceful protestors who were fighting against the electricity price raise in Baghramyan Avenue but also against the dozens of journalists who were covering the situation there by breaking professional technique, confiscating memory chips; some of the journalists even got injuries and some of them were detained and taken to the police departments.

The problem is that all the journalists who were tortured were wearing badges and the police were aware that they were the representatives of mass media. Thus, on 23 June the police intentionally interfere the journalists’ work. But the criminal case was initiated only on the last day according to law, on 3July. After the incident of 2004 it is unprecedented thing that can have undesirable results for the freedom of speech in Armenia.

The criminal case has been initiated against iLur.am web officer according to Article 353 Part 2 of the RA Criminal Code on the reasoning of not following: “An effective court sentence, verdict or other court act, or hindrance to their implementation, is punished with arrest for the term of 1-3 months.”

From 24.06.2015 all the accounts of the Zhoghovurd” daily news are banned. The judge insisted the daily news to pay the fine of 2 million AMD to the businessman Khachik Khachatryan. There are also two cases initiated against the daily news…The Director of the “Armenia” Medical Center, the member of the NA RPA faction demands 2 million AMD as compensation.

We – the heads of the following mass media blame for the violation of freedom of speech by demanding from the authorities:

1.    to refrain from the restrictive measures against the press;

2.    to take measures to ensuring their independent activity.

Editor in chief of “Aravot” daily Aram Abrahamyan,

Editor in chief of “Zhamanak” daily and 1in.am web page Arman Babajanyan,

Editor in chief of “Zhoghovurd” daily and “ArmLur.am” web page Taguhi Tovmasyan,

Editor in chief of “Haykakan zhamanak” and “Armtimes.com” web page Anna Hakobyan,

Editor in chief of “168 zham” daily and “168.am” web page Satik Seyranyan,

Editor in chief of “Hraparak” daily and “Hraparak.am” web page Armine Ohanyan,

Editor in chief of “4th Power” daily Shogher Matevosyan.

Iravaban.net