The issues of “Chorrord Ishkhanutiun” newspaper of September 26 and 28, 2007 did not reach the readers of Artashat city and the neighboring villages of Ararat region. This was stated to YPC by the Chief Editor of the newspaper Shogher Matevosian. According to her, the distribution of these issues was prevented through the effort of the head of the local branch of “Haymamul” press dissemination agency. In the opinion of “Chorrord Ishkhanutiun”, the reason for the action was the article “With Much Gratitude and Best Regards – Henrik Abrahamian”, published on September 26, and the subsequent report of the editorial staff about the disappearance of the previous issue from the newspaper stalls of Artashat. The publication was dealing with RA National Assembly deputy from Ararat region Henrik Abrahamian, the brother of the Deputy Prime Minister, the RA Minister for Territorial Governance Hovik Abrahamian. The article described the background of the deputy and his current entrepreneurial and parliamentary activities. "(…) Newspapers can always be collected, yet this will certainly not change the moral image of Henrik Abrahamian. Do not have doubts”, “Chorrord Ishkhanutiun” noted, in particular, in its communication of September 28.
Similar incidents, when readers were deprived of a chance to buy the newspaper, occurred earlier, too – both with other outlets and with the same “Chorrord Ishkhanutiun”. Thus, on September 11 the print run of “Zhamanak-Yerevan” was bought out from the stalls – as the daily believes, on the initiative of NA Deputy Karen Karapetian (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, September 7-13, 2007).
Actually, as “Azg” daily reports on September 29, 2007, the rumors about the possible sale of “Haymamul” stalls to a private person that had been around for a long time have come true – the deal has been struck. “Azg” writes that according to reliable sources the new owner of 221 newspaper stalls of “Haymamul” in Yerevan and regions, as well as the delivery vehicles is now “Press Stand” company. “Haymamul” currently holds only the administrative facilities and the subscription sales of press, “Azg” informs. Whether this will benefit the print media or harm them remains to be seen.
