STATEMENT
Regarding the obstruction of professional activities of Armday.am correspondent Paylak Fahradyan at the medical center of Shatin community of Vayots Dzor region
On October 7, 2017, Armday.am correspondent Paylak Fahradyan was attacked at the medical center of Shatin community of Vayots Dzor region.
The details of the incident were published on Armday.am. According to Paylak Fahradyan, in conversation with Zoya Martirosyan, Director of the medical center, he also mentioned the rumors going around in the community that in the medical center they take money for providing medical certificates, dispensing free medication and other services. In response to the journalist’s question, Zoya Martirosyan accused him of bias and together with her sister, who is the spouse of the head of Qaraglukh community of the same region and was also there at that moment, attacked the journalist. The women tried to seize Paylak Fahradyan’s camera, demanding to delete the footage. Afterwards with the help of Artur Stepanyan, head of Qaraglukh community, they locked the door of the medical center not allowing the journalist to go out until he deleted the content. Paylak Fahradyan managed to call the police, after which the door was opened, and the journalist left the medical center.
We, the undersigned journalistic organizations, take into consideration that a criminal case has been filed on the incident. At the same time we find it necessary to note that in the last 10 days it is already the second case, when media representatives are attacked. Let us recall that on September 28, 2017, Narineh Avetisyan, Editor-in-Chief of “Lori” TV company, was attacked in Vanadzor.
Based on the facts of obstructing the legitimate professional activities of Armday.am correspondent, as well as restricting his movement, we demand:
– Vayots Dzor Region Department of the RA Investigative Committee to carry out impartial, efficient investigation of the incident and subject the perpetrators to liability;
– RA Prosecutor’s Office to exercise due control over the current criminal case to ensure the impartiality of the investigation.
COMMITTEE TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
YEREVAN PRESS CLUB
“ASPAREZ” JOURNALISTS’ CLUB
MEDIA DIVERSITY INSTITUTE-ARMENIA
PUBLIC JOURNALISM CLUB
“JOURNALISTS FOR THE FUTURE”
“JOURNALISTS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS”
GORIS PRESS CLUB
