On June 21 “Syunyats Yerkir” newspaper (Kapan, Syunik region) disseminated
a statement due to the power cutoff at its editorial office. The reason for
the incident was article published in “Syunyats Yerkir” of June 15, 2006 “Syunik
Energy System Is Corrupt, If Not Fully Corrupt”. On June 21, as the statement
of the editorial staff tells, the office was visited by the heads of “Tatev”
branch of “Electric Networks of Armenia” CJSC, who were offered to publish their
response or objections to this article. However, the statement stresses, this
offer did not satisfy the management of the regional electrical network, and
they orders to cut off the power supply of the “Syunyats Yerkir” office. As
a result, the work of the editorial staff was suspended. The newspaper ended
its statement with an appeal to RA President Robert Kocharian as a Constitution
guarantee to stop “the persistent harassment of ‘Syunyats Yerkir’”.
For more information on incidents with “Syunyats Yerkir” see also the Annual
Report “On Freedom of Expression in RA” in 2005 on YPC web-site www.ypc.am in
“Studies” section.
