On October 20 “Hetq” on line informed that the Police of Vardenis (Gegharkunik
region) instituted criminal proceedings on Article 164 (“Impeding the Legitimate
Professional Activities of Journalist”) on the incident of July 29, 2008 that
took place in Geghamabak village. On that day “Hetq” Correspondent Sara Petrosian
and “Kyavar” TV company cameraman Vardges Khachatrian (Gavar, Gegharkunik region)
arrived at Geghamabak to get the material on the situation in the community
after the elections of village administration head on June 22, 2008. Gagik Barseghian,
occupying that position for last 9 years, was elected again. As Sara Petrosian
told YPC, after meeting the head of village administration, the journalists
talked to the village dwellers and then sat into a car willing to meet the village
head and receive his comments regarding the complaints of the villagers. But
the way of the car was blocked by a group of community people leaded by Victor
Barseghian, father of the village head. The latter, as the journalist mentioned,
started to threaten her and the cameraman and tried to drag them through the
open windows of the car. The journalists were forced to stop their work and
leave the village. Sara Petrosian said that stones were thrown on their departing
car.
The proceeding on the incident was instituted by Vardenis Police on October
10 versus a group of Geghamabak villagers, including Victor Barseghian, father
of the village head.
