Recent Articles
2012/05/01

Armenian human rights activist is attacked – newspaper
YEREVAN. – Arman Veziryan from the Helsinki Association human rights organization was attacked in Armenia’s capital Yerevan on Monday, Zhoghovurd daily writes.
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2010/05/27

Law on Not Opening “A1+”
Even after a superficial glance at the revised edition of RA law on “Television and Radio Broadcasting”, one may say that it is a law that intends to exclude genuine competition and decide the fate of all TV frequencies before announcing the competition.
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2009/06/01

Assaulted "Aravot" correspondent
The young man with the nickname "Boko from Noragyugh" assaulted correspondent of "Aravot" daily Nelly Grigoryan, pushed her around, used swear words, threatened her and left in an unknown direction with the journalist's camera.
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2008/10/16

Police Confront Opposition Activists Ahead Of Yerevan Rally
Police tried to stop groups of young people publicizing the Armenian opposition’s upcoming rally in Yerevan for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, ignoring criticism from the country’s human rights ombudsman.
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2008/10/16

Opposition To Defy March Ban
The Armenian opposition will defy a government ban and tell supporters to march through central Yerevan after their rally on Friday, a spokesman for opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian said on Thursday.
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2008/10/14

ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS CONDEMNS
The Armenian National Congress “Democratic Armenia” civil initiative strictly condemns the evident persecution of former liberation soldier Sargis Hatspanian. “We don’t accept the fact that after the case connected to Jirair SefilIan, the authorities are once again trying to exile an Armenian who risked his life in the Artsakh war. Before, Hatspanian was fighting for Artsakh; now he’s fighting for democratization in Armenia,” as stated in the congress press release. According to the initiative’s press release, with this the authorities prove once again that “they will do anything to get rid of political opponents without thinking about the consequences.”
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2008/10/08

Armenian Court Offers Another Venue For Opposition Rally
Armenia’s Administrative Court on Wednesday allowed the opposition to hold its next rally in downtown Yerevan on October 17 but said its participants can not march through the city center afterwards.
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2008/10/03

Armenia: Prefect candidate says TV channels refused to air his campaign materials
Several days before the elections of the head of administration of Kentron community of Yerevan (that took place on September 28, 2008), one of the two running candidates, Board Chairman of the Armenian National Movement Ararat Zurabian announced that a number TV companies refused to broadcast his election campaign materials.
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2008/09/30

Pro-Government MP Blamed For Deadly Beating
A senior employee of Armenia’s state television and radio on Tuesday blamed a pro-government parliamentarian notorious for reportedly violent conduct for an attack on a Yerevan café that left one of his friends dead.
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2008/08/25

Constitutional Freedom of Expression forced out of Northern Avenue
It has become obvious that the protesters of Northern Avenue can’t avoid incidents, that pursue an aim to restrict their constitutional right to freely express their opinion. People taken to the police station have become a usual thing, but no one expected the Police to see danger also in the posters fixed on the walls of the buildings.
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2008/07/30

ENTREPRENEUR BECAME EXILE
Volodya Hovannissian, an opposition activist and Director of Aigeservice Ltd, stopped business activity in Armenia and moved to Tbilisi. Hovannissian says he escaped persecution and found a political asylum in Georgia.
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2008/07/24

Empty Promises about Democracy
The committee of protection of political prisoners issued a statement which holds: “Despite the appeals of innumerable human rights and other international organizations the Armenian government once again violated the right of Arman Babajanyan, the editor-in-chief of the Zhamanak Yerevan and the Zhamanak Los Angeles newspapers for early release.
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2008/07/18

ARMAN BABAJANIAN WILL NOT BE RELEASED
On July 18 over thirty Armenian citizens crowded near the Penitentiary Department of the RoA Ministry of Justice with posters, “Freedom of Speech,” “Free Armenia,” “Free Political Prisoner Arman Babajanian.”
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2008/07/18

Jailed Editor Again Denied Parole
Ignoring calls from Armenia’s human rights ombudsman, prison officials and international watchdogs, Armenian authorities on Friday again refused to parole the editor of an opposition newspaper who was imprisoned for draft evasion two years ago.
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2008/07/18

Armenia: Plight For An Early Release Of Chief Editor Of “Zhmanak-Yerevan” Refused
On July 18 the Commission on Early Release and Release on Parole refused the plight of “Hospital for Convicts” penitentiary institution for the early release of the Chief Editor of “Zhamanak-Yerevan” daily Arman Babajanian.
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2008/07/15

ARMAN BABAJANIAN WAS TO BE RELEASED ON MAY 17
“Arman Babajanian should be conditionally released,” considers RA Ombudsman Armen Harutyunian on the grounds that “Arman Babajanian has never been imprisoned before; no charge has ever been brought against him”. The Ombudsman also based his estimation on the latest statements of various international reporting and law organizations.
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2008/07/14

Human Rights Watch urges release of Armenian editor
Arman Babajanian, 32-year-old editor and founder of the “Zhamanak Yerevan” newspaper, was arrested two years ago for evading military service and subsequently sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison.
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2008/07/03

Letter to the Armenian Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Regarding the Imprisonment of Arman Babajanian
Dear Prime Minister Sargsyan and Minister Danielyan, We are writing to encourage you to ensure the release of the well-known journalist and editor, Arman Babajanian, from prison based on his pending request for parole.
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2008/06/04

AMALIAN IRRITATED EVERYONE
After Zharangutiun MP Stepan Safarian announced that the law regulating live broadcast is constantly being broken in Armenia, Amalian requested to bring an example. Mesrop Harutiunian named Article 15 of the RoA Law on “Television and Radio” which is being violated by all TV companies including Public TV.
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2008/04/29

ARMENIAN PRESS IS “NOT FREE”
Today Freedom House released the rankings and overview for at the Newseum, Washington DC. Freedom of the Press, annual survey of media independence in 195 countries.
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2008/03/27

Armenia: Lift Ban on Peaceful Protest - Opposition Demonstrators Detained Under New Restrictions
The Armenian government should lift new restrictions on freedom of assembly and cease detaining opposition supporters participating in peaceful protests, Human Rights Watch said today.
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2008/03/19

Embattled TV Raising Money To Stay On Air
A rare Armenian TV station at loggerheads with the government pleaded for financial support from viewers and sympathizers on Wednesday as it scrambled to pay a hefty fine imposed by tax authorities.
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2008/03/05

Armenia: Opposition Arrests After Unrest
The police have arrested 30 opposition activists and accused them of starting a riot on Saturday in which eight people were killed, the prosecutor general said.
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2011/11/21
They seek to silence media outlets by fining them?
Human rights activist Vardan Harutyunyan is convinced that the discrimination of articles on libel and slander aims to crush certain media.
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2011/05/01
Armenia - Armenian newspapers threatened by libel suits with sky-high damages awards
Reporters Without Borders is concerned about all the libel actions being brought against Armenian newspapers and the disproportionate damages being demanded, which threaten their survival and create a climate that encourages self-censorship.
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2009/12/25
You can’s open or close the “page” of March 1
Armenia's Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan today asked the Armenian opposition and authorities not to label the events of March 1-2, 2008 as a "page."
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2008/12/17
ATTACK ON JOURNALISTS: WHY THEIR AUTHORS REMAIN UNPUNISHED?
Mesrop Harutyunyan, the expert of Yerevan press club says that he hates any violence against homo sapiens, all the more, as it is done against the journalists. According to him once, when independent Armenia has been declared, Armenians were not used to it and journalists were not attacked. In the middle of 90th, when the media became numerous, the situation was changed.
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2008/10/13
Clarification Of Police Did Not Bring Clarity
On October 3 an information appeared on the web site of RA Police, entitled “Necessary Clarification” and regarding the incident of September 20-21 with the Head of “Radiolur” news program of Public Radio of Armenia Artur Sahakian. As it has been reported, a friend of the journalist fell a victim of the incident and died in the hospital after the beating that took place on September 21. On the same day another journalist , who was in one of Yerevan cafes together with Artur Sahakian, was beaten (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, September 26 - October 2, 2008).
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2008/10/11
Armenia: Article 19 calls on authorities to lift the moratorium on broadcasting licnesing
On October 6 the Global Campaign for Free Expression “Article 19” expressed its concern about the addition to the RA Law “On Television and Radio” adopted on September 10, 2008 by the RA National Assembly. It is suspending broadcast licensing competitions till July 20, 2010. Statement of “Article 19” points out that the adopted amendments are directed against “A1+” TV company, contrary to the decision of European Court of Human Rights regarding the case of “A1+” and pronounced on July 17, 2008.
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2008/10/07
Another Opposition Rally Banned
Authorities in Yerevan have banned the next opposition rally during which former President Levon Ter-Petrosian is expected to unveil his promised new strategy of confronting the Armenian government.
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2008/09/12
Armenia: Criminal proceedings instituted against journalists
Kentron Police Department instituted criminal proceedings against free-lance photo journalist Gagik Shamshiyan and the correspondent of “Chorrord Ishkhanutyun” newspaper Gohar Veziryan. As it has been reported, the incidents with the journalists occurred during the hearing of the same case in the court of general jurisdiction of Kentron and Nork-Marash communities of Yerevan.
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2008/09/05
Armenia: August became a record month by incidents with journalists
On August 21 Yerevan Press Club, the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression, Media Diversity Institute-Armenia, “Asparez” Journalists Club of Gyumri, Vanadzor Office of Helsinki Citizens Assembly, Vanadzor Press Club and Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center released a statement on the incidents that occurred with media representatives in Armenia.
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2008/08/21
Unprecedented levels of violence against journalists in August
August 2008 was unprecedented with the amount of violence against media representatives. Gagik Hovakimyan of “Haykakan Zhamanak” (August 1), freelancer Gagik Shamshyan (August 5), Gohar Veziryan of “Chorrord Ishkhanutyun” (August 6), Lusine Barseghyan of “Haykakan Zhamanak” (August 11) and Hrach Melkumyan of the Armenian service of Radio Liberty (August 18 ) were all subjected to attacks and illegal actions of police, court officials and unidentified males for their affiliation with media outlets known for their criticism of the authorities and oligarchs.
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2008/07/24
“HRANT BAGRATIAN IS UNDER POLITICAL PERSECUTION”
In conjunction with the Presidential Elections 2008 various political figures were and still are under persecution. One of them is former RA Prime-Minister Hrant Bagratian, against whom a case was brought by former President of the RA Central Bank, Prime-Minister Tigran Sargssian.
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2008/07/21
Jailed Editor Arman Babajanian
Authorities in Armenia have again rejected an appeal for early release on parole by independent Armenian newspaper editor Arman Babajanian says RFE/RL.
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2008/07/19
Arman Babajanyan Denied Early Release from Prison
Authorities in Armenia have again rejected an appeal for early release on parole by independent Armenian newspaper editor Arman Babajanian.
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2008/07/11
WAGING ATTACK UPON RUDIK HOVSEPYAN
In these days famous TV reporter and public officer, the author of “Curtain” TV programme Rudik Hovsepyan has been attacked in Los Angeles, reported the Center of Pan National Movement. “Turning to the incident through political reasons and conditioned by the active professional activities of Ruduk Hovsepyan we strongly condemn those political forces which has organized and fulfilled the attack. We announce that we’ll keep an eye on the person who have conducted the crime and to the reveal of his Armenian and local client,” says the announcement.
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2008/07/10
Banditocracy in LA
Looks like the members of the banditocracy are becoming active in the US. Some Raffi Boyajian, a member of ARFD, yesterday assaulted TV personality Rudik Hovsepian - the author of the 'Varaguyr'. Hovsepian was attacked in a cafe in the town of Glendale.
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2008/07/08
Court Ruled To Consider The Plight Of Early Release Of The Chief Editor Of “Zhamanak-Yerevan”
On July 4 the court of general jurisdiction of Kentron and Nork-Marash communities of Yerevan nullified the decision of the administration of “Hospital for Convicts” on April 3, 2008 on the case of the Chief Editor of “Zhamanak-Yerevan” daily Arman Babajanian. As it has been reported, at the meeting of April 3 the administration of “Hospital for Convicts” criminal executive institution refused the application of Arman Babajanian with a request to administration to file a petition with the Commission on Early Release and Release on Parole.
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2008/07/01
LETTER TO THE RA MINISTRY OF JUSTICE TO SUPPORT THE CHIEF EDITOR OF “ZHAMANAK-YEREVAN”
On July 1 the heads of “Haikakan Zhamanak”, “Haik”, “Aravot”, “Hraparak”, “Iravunk de Facto”, “168 Zham”, "Taregir", "Chorrord Ishkhanutiun" newspapers, Yerevan Press Club and the editorial staff of “Zhamanak-Yerevan” daily addressed a letter to the RA Ministry of Justice Gevorg Danielian, requesting to assist the early release of the Chief Editor of “Zhamanak-Yerevan” Arman Babajanian. As it has been reported, Arman Babajanian was sentenced to 3.5 years of imprisonment for document fraud to evade mandatory military service.
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2008/06/25
DAVID KRAMER DOESN’T INSTILL CONFIDENCE IN INVESTIGATION
During today’s news conference U.S. Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour David Kramer said he didn’t inspire great confidence in the investigation group on the March 1 events. “I rather trust my colleagues in the U.S. Embassy than the material on the investigation,” he said.
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2008/06/19
Armenia: European Court rules in favor of embattled television station
The European Court of Human Rights ruled Tuesday that Armenia’s repeated denials of a broadcasting license to the independent A1+ television station violated Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. According to the verdict, the Armenian government must pay the station 20,000 euros (US$31,000) in damages.
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2008/06/16
“FREE ARMAN BABAJANIAN!”
On June 16 civil society activists and supporters of Arman Babajanian, the editor-in-chief of “Zhamanak Yeravan” newspaper and “Zhamanak Los Angeles” staged a protest action near the Government building.
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2008/06/03
TER-PETROSIAN SCHEDULES FIRST RALLY SINCE CRACKDOWN
Former President Levon Ter-Petrosian and his opposition allies reaffirmed on Tuesday their intention to defy a possible government ban and hold on June 20 their first major rally since the post-election clashes in Yerevan. In a written statement, Ter-Petrosian’s Popular Movement, an umbrella structure uniting more than two dozen opposition groups, offered to cooperate with the municipal authorities and the Armenian police in maintaining public order during the planned rally.
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2008/04/25
Imaginary(but not Improbable) interview with high government official in Yerevan
Imaginary (but not improbable) interview with high government official in Yerevan
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2008/03/05
Statement of the Broadcasting Board of Governors on Closure of Independent Media in Armenia
The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) strongly objects to the blackout of independent media in Armenia. Under the state of emergency rules that went into effect on March 2, media were ordered to cite only official sources when covering national news, and the Voice of America's (VOA) Armenian-language TV program and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) Armenian-language radio programs are no longer being broadcast through local affiliated stations. In addition, Internet access has been curtailed as part of the government efforts to control news and information as the political crisis has deepened since the disputed February 19 elections.
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2008/03/04
Ban on independent news coverage in Armenia is contrary to OSCE commitments, says OSCE media freedom representative
VIENNA, 4 March 2008 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, called on Armenian authorities today to lift restrictions on independent news reporting that have been in place since the state of emergency was declared on 1 March.
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2008/02/28
Ex-KGB Admits Sending Agents To Opposition Rally
Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) acknowledged on Thursday that the two men detained in Yerevan’s Liberty Square the previous night for allegedly urging opposition supporters to resort to violence were its employees.
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2006/10/31
“Disproportionate” prison sentence for newspaper editor who skipped military service
Reporters Without Borders voiced dismay today at the four-year prison sentence passed on Jamanak Erevan editor Arman Babajanian for evading military service, noting claims that it could have been politically-motivated. A court began a week ago to hear an appeal against the sentence, passed on 8 September.
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2006/03/30
Armenia: Independent TV Station Faces Renewed Pressure
Four years ago, Armenia’s A1+ independent TV station was forced off the air in what its journalists maintain was a government-inspired vendetta. Now, A1+ says the authorities are behind moves to force the TV station out of its offices.
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2003/01/28
Freedom of expression in the media in Europe
Violence continues to be a way of intimidating investigative journalists or of settling scores between rival political and economic groupings, for whom certain media act as mercenaries. The number of journalists attacked, or even murdered, in the Russian Federation is alarming. Violence has also recently been recorded in Armenia, “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, Georgia, Ukraine and Belarus. In particular, the Assembly strongly condemns the murder of Tigran Naghdalian, Chairman of the Public Television and Radio Council of Armenia. It is unacceptable that no substantial progress has been made in the investigation of crimes committed earlier, such as the murder of Heorhiy Gongadze in Ukraine and the disappearance of Dmitry Zavadsky in Belarus.
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