The Union of Journalists of Armenia Strongly Condemns Arrest of Yerkir Media TV Director Bagrat Yesayan

This morning the servicemen of the National Security Service (NSS) arrested the director of Yerkir Media TV company Bagrat Yesayan.

The latter was arrested in the framework of the criminal case initiated in connection with the incident that took place at the end of 2020, whilst within the previous 1 year and 8 months he dutifully presented himself to the preliminary investigation body, he has never tried to avoid the investigation, never ever hidden and has always been in the centre of public attention, therefore there is no reasonable justification that being at large could have anyhow hindered the investigation of the case.

Bagrat Yesayan is the director of one of the leading Armenian TV channels, which is not subject to the control of the authorities, and his arrest is also targeting at free speech and freedom of the press.

The Union of Journalists of Armenia strongly condemns the arrest of Bagrat Yesayan, the director of Yerkir Media TV company in such a way, and urges the authorities to stop the political persecution against him, not to take any action outside the legal sphere, allowing our colleague to continue participating in the investigation of the criminal case.

Meantime, we draw the attention of human rights organizations and international media organizations to what has happened, calling on them to take active measures to stop the political persecution of Bagrat Yesayan.

UNION OF JOURNALISTS OF ARMENIA