STATEMENT
regrading the pressure exerted against the correspondent of RFE/RL Armenian Service
In the morning of March 29, 2024, Karineh Simonyan, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Armenian Service correspondent covering Lori and Tavush regions, while away in Yerevan, was informed that her work camera had been stolen from her Vanadzor apartment. The journalist noted that the camera contained no contents, and none of her other equally valuable belongings were taken. She believes the incident is most likely connected to her professional activities and could be an attempt to warn, intimidate and silence her.
The credibility of this hypothesis is further reinforced if we consider that this is not the first time Karineh Simonyan has been subjected to pressure. Last June, the journalist was targeted with threats and persecution after she brought attention to the illicit economic activities of an individual with a criminal background. Despite the initiation of a criminal case at that time, there has been no progress in this regard thus far.
We, the undersigned journalistic organizations, strongly condemn the pressure exerted against the correspondent of RFE/RL Armenian Service and, taking note of the criminal case initiated regarding the theft of the camera, we demand:
• the Police of Lori region, to address the facts of harassment against the journalist carrying out her professional duties with utmost seriousness and take all necessary measures to identify the perpetrators;
• the Prosecutor’s Office of Lori region, to exercise diligent supervision over the criminal cases initiated concerning the violations of journalist Karineh Simonyan’s rights and ensure the objectivity and effectiveness of their investigation.
COMMITTEE TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
YEREVAN PRESS CLUB
MEDIA INITIATIVES CENTER
MEDIA DIVERSITY INSTITUTE-ARMENIA
JOURNALISTS’ CLUB “ASPAREZ”
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION CENTER
PUBLIC JOURNALISM CLUB
“JOURNALISTS FOR THE FUTURE” NGO
“JOURNALISTS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS” NGO
GORIS PRESS CLUB
