On October 3, “Or” newspaper staff has come forward with a declaration related to the assault at the Chief Editor of “Or” Gayaneh Mukoyan and her husband, Director of “Or” Rafael Hovakimian committed on September 27 (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, September 26 – October 2, 2003). The authors of the declaration assess the incident as implementation of a special order provoked by the professional activity of “Or” Chief Editor and in particular by the latest publications of the newspaper. According to the editorial office, the criminal proceedings started on the article “public disorder with infliction of physical injury” (Article 258, Part 3 of RA Criminal Code) is to be reconsidered according to Article 113 Part 2 (“premeditated infliction of physical injury of medium degree’).
In relation to the incident, Chairman of Human Rights Commission at RA President, Hovhannes Asryan turned to General Prosecutor of the country, Aram Tamazian with the request to transfer the case from RA Police jurisdiction to General Prosecutor’s Office. The assault at “Or” administration, according to Chairman of the Commission, is not just a case of public disorder but an encroachment on freedom of expression.
