HCA Vanadzor strongly condemns the violence against Narine Avetisyan, editor-in-chief of ‘Lori’ TV company
16:33, September 30, 2017 | Announcements, OwnHCA Vanadzor strongly condemns the violence against Narine Avetisyan, editor-in-chief of ‘Lori’ TV company, in the evening, September 28, 2017. As Narine Avetisyan was taking video of how asphalting works were carried out in heavy rain, Tigran Nazaryan, head of ‘Shinplus’ construction company conducting asphalting works, and his colleagues used violence against Narine Avetisyan by seizing by force her mobile phone used by her to take video and throwing her down to the ground. Note that this is already the 5th time Narine Avetisyan faced violence when carrying out her journalistic activities. The criminal proceedings initiated on all the 4 previous cases of violence did not identify the persons guilty and no one was held liable. It should be noted that after finding Narine Avetisyan’s cell phone in the scene, it turned out that the video recordings and shoots made by her were deleted.
HCA Vanadzor staff members protect the interests of Narine Avetisyan who was found victim under the criminal proceedings.
We hereby state that this time there are enough facts and circumstances available to detect and hold liable the persons who interfered with journalist’s professional activities and whose actions were accompanied with physical violence, theft of property and destruction of journalistic materials. Also, it should be noted that in her explanations under the criminal proceedings, Narine Avetisyan not only complained of obstructing her activities but also highlighted the need to investigate the ineffective use of public resources.
HCA Vanadzor will be consistent in holding liable the persons guilty of violence and examining the issues raised by Narine Avetisyan.
We highlight the reaction by the RA Prosecutor General’s Office, RA Investigative Committee and the RA Human Rights Defender to the violence against Narine Avetisyan, editor-in-chief of ‘Lori’ TV company, and expect that they fully carry out their functions.
Also, we believe that the facts of continuous violence against journalists and ineffective investigation into such cases in the past show the inadequate and irresponsible approach of the authorities that led to an atmosphere of impunity.
30.09.2017
HCA Vanadzor
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