On March 2 court of general jurisdiction of Kentron and Nork-Marash administrative districts of Yerevan held hearings on the suit of Freedom of Information Center versus universal credit company “Small and Medium Investments” CJSC (“SMB Investments”). On November 11, 2011 “Ankakh” newspaper had inquired “SMB Investments” to provide information on legal and physical entities that received loans from state funds, as well as their amount. “SMB Investments” denied providing the information, alleging a commercial secret. “Ankakh” addressed FOI Center for support, which, in its turn, on November 22, 2011 sent the same inquiry to “SMB Investments”. The credit company answered to the request partially, referring again to a commercial secret. On December 23, 2011 FOI Center went to law. The plaintiff demanded to bind the respondent with providing the requested information fully and impose a fine on the head of “SMB Investments” in the amount of 50,000 AMD (about $ 130). The preliminary session was held on February 27, 2012. The court ruling will be released on March 15.
