The RA Special Investigative Service dismissed the investigation on the case of violations at precinct 10/19 of Yerevan, made on January 10, 2010 (day of elections to the vacancy formed in the RA National Assembly). On January 14, RA Central Electoral Commission has cancelled the elections at precinct 10/19, due to numerous violations. On January 19 the RA Procuracy informed that proceedings were instituted on Points 3 and 5 of Part 2 of Article 149 of RA Criminal Code (“Obstructing the realization of electoral right, the work of electoral commission or the implementation of the authorities of election participants”).
As it has been reported, among the violations at the precinct 10/19 incidents with journalists were also observed. Thus, the representatives of one of the candidates for deputy prohibited the free lance journalist Gagik Shamshian and Anush Martirosian, correspondent of Armenian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, from shooting and interviewing. After a verbal skirmish the journalists were forced out of the polling station. Later, on that day the same people forced Hayk Gevorgian, observer of “Haykakan Zhamanak” daily, and Gohar Vezirian, correspondent of “Chorrord Inknishkhanutiun” newspaper, out of the polling station (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, January 14-21, 2010).
As Mr. Gevorgian, the special investigator of RA Special Investigative Service, informed YPC, the inquiry of the violations at precinct 10/19 was dismissed for failure of proof.
