The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined its affiliate in Armenia, the Union of Journalists of Armenia (UJA), in denouncing the authorities’ misuse of anti-hooliganism legislation to suppress press freedom and freedom of expression. The EFJ and UJA demand the immediate release of Narek Samsonyan and Vazgen Saghatelyan, co-authors of the podcast “Imnemnimi”, imprisoned for criticising Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Yesterday, during the briefing held in the parliament, Khachatur Sukiasyan, member of the ruling Civil Contract party of the National Assembly, made a number of insulting expressions to the journalist of the Aravot daily Hripsime Jebejyan, targeting the woman, her parents, relatives and the editor-in-chief of the media she represented. Sukiasyan responded with street vocabulary, in an obviously aggressive and threatening tone to the questions that Jebejian, as a journalist conveying public sentiments, addressed to the deputy.
The right of return of Karabakh Armenians is not only a matter of justice and human rights but also essential for promoting peace, stability, and reconciliation in the region. The historic, cultural and religious heritage of Armenian people in Nagorno Karabakh cannot be lost, and this issue shall not be abandoned,” Armen Gevorgyan said.
